Thread by @JessGrose, 1. Though many parents (self included) are worried about what academics might [...]

1. Though many parents (self included) are worried about what academics might look like this year, at @NYTParenting we wanted to highlight something powerful, important and joyful that kids do no matter the circumstance: They Play. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/the-state-of-play.html

The State of Play

The act of playing shapes how our children see the world.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/the-state-of-play.html

2. Our staff reporter @cdcaron looks at risky play with less parental involvement and how it can help our kids feel resilient and independent https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/risky-play.html

Risky Play Encourages Resilience

Lacking the usual scheduled activities and adult supervision, children are finding the space to play freely.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/risky-play.html

3. @kyraOcity explores the sophistication, power and meaning of Black Girls play, from game songs to double dutch https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/black-girls-play.html

The Magic of Black Girls’ Play

Game-songs created and passed down by Black girls are full of sophistication, power and cultural meaning.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/black-girls-play.html

4. @cwillyard looks into how play energizes kids' brains https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/play-brain-science.html

How Play Energizes Your Kid’s Brain

Scientists have long studied play to gain insights into the developing human mind.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/play-brain-science.html

5. Staff editor @erikvance has a truly delightful look at how animals play and what it teaches us about how children play (spoiler: birds are jerks and will drop rocks on your car for kicks!!) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/animal-behavior-play-games.html

Where the Wild Things Play

The animal world is full of games. And tucked in among wrestling monkeys, belligerent birds and wily coyotes are lessons for us all.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/animal-behavior-play-games.html

6. @ChavieLieber looks at toys aimed at toddlers and preschoolers that claim to teach your kids to code before they are potty trained. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/stem-toys-kids.html

No, My Toddler Doesn’t Need to Learn to Code

Sales in educational toys are booming, but often there isn’t much weight to their claims of teaching kids science and math.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/stem-toys-kids.html

7. @PLUnderwood looks at how kids are processing the pandemic through imaginary play, and how that's usually a very healthy response. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/imaginative-play-kids-quarantine.html

When Playtime and Covid Collide

How Kids Are Incorporating Covid-19 Into Their Pretend Play

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/imaginative-play-kids-quarantine.html

8. @drmcclain looks at play therapy, and the way playing can help traumatized kids speak the unspeakable. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/play-therapy.html

Play Therapy Can Help Kids Speak the Unspeakable

Play is the language of children — which is why play therapy can help kids speak the unspeakable.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/play-therapy.html

9. @josterhout writes about how to get your kids excited about playing sports https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/kids-sports.html

Your Kid Doesn’t Need to Be LeBron or Serena

Focusing on fun and exposure to new games helps build skills and interest.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/kids-sports.html

10. @lyzl writes about the way we used to play — and gets excited about how our kids may thrive with more unstructured time. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/kids-family-play.html

The Way We Used to Play

A mother compares her childhood freedom to her kids’ playtime, filled with structured dates, piano lessons and tablet games.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/kids-family-play.html

11. And finally, we have @SciFleur with a completely joyful paleontologist's guide to playing with your dino-obsessed kid. I learned so much from this one -- apparently the T-Rex sounded like a "giant angry duck"!! https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/dinosaur-kids.html

A Paleontologist’s Guide to Playing with Your Dinosaur-Obsessed Kid

Paleontologists say parents should nurture children’s romance with playing with dinosaurs, for “Paleontology is the gateway to science.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/dinosaur-kids.html

12. Anyway, I hope you spend time with all these articles. They're enlightening and uplifting, and show the resilience of our kids and their glorious minds. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/the-state-of-play.html

The State of Play

The act of playing shapes how our children see the world.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/parenting/the-state-of-play.html

You can follow @JessGrose.

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