What, then, should play encompass for children? Most psychologist believe it should be a combination of activities that offer children the physical (running, jumping, etc.), intellectual (social skills, norms, ethics, knowledge), and emotional (compassion, empathy, friendships) tools to become successful (Dixon, 2010). Structured play, team sports and organized events, allows children to engage with other children and adults with whom they might not normally interact. Unstructured play encourages creativity, imagination, and the ability to experiment without fear of reprisal. It is through these two kinds of activities that children learn to interact, and to engage overtly and covertly, with their environment.

One famous child psychologist in fact, Yuri Bronfenbrenner, developed an entire child development theory around the manner in which the external environment shapes a child's development by allowing certain interactions that are central in that child's appropriate development and integration into society (Bronfenbrenner, 1981). Some competition, as in "who can run the fastest," or "jump the highest," allows children to learn about goal setting and excellence in action. However, excessive adult control in play and organized sports (with adult rules and expectations) causes a loss of some of the benefits of play and can even damage self-esteem (Barthlow, 2009).

If Aristotle noted that the path toward enlightenment consisted of an attitude of "moderation in all things," perhaps that message should be translated to contemporary...

Allow children to be children -- they will mature into adults soon enough. Use their childhood to teach and prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally. But also realize that they are children; their bodies are growing and cannot approach strenuous physical activities in the same way as adults; they need nurturing when learning to win, as well as to lose; and above all, their lives should have some joy and exuberance attached. Use team sports, individual sports, outdoor activities, music, and art to extend and enhance that joy, not deny a child their rightful legacy.
REFERENCES and WORKS CONSULTED

Barthlow, J. (September 30, 2009). "Pros and Cons of Competitive Youth

Football." AssociatedContent. Cited in:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2225177/pros_and_cons_of_competitive_youth.html

Bronfenbrenner, Y. (1981). On Making Human Beings Human. Sage.

Dixon, E. (2010). "The Importance of Play in Childhood Development." EZine

Articles. Cited in: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Importance-of-Play-in-Child-Development&id=823911

Ginsburg, K. (2007). "The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child

Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds." Pediatrics. 119

(1); Cited in: http://www.wcss.wa.edu.au/pdf/importanceoftheplay_AAP.pdf

Statsky, J. (2005). "Children Need to Play, Not Compete." In R. Axelrod and C.

Cooper, eds. Axelrod & Cooper's Concise Guide to Writing. St. Martins.