Healthy play, better coping: The importance of play for the development of children in health and disease

Sanne L. Nijhof, Christiaan H. Vinkers, Stefan M. van Geelen, Sasja N. Duijff, E. J.Marijke Achterberg, Janjaap van der Net, Remco C. Veltkamp, Martha A. Grootenhuis, Elise M. van de Putte, Manon H.J. Hillegers, Anneke W. van der Brug, Corette J. Wierenga, Manon J.N.L. Benders, Rutger C.M.E. Engels, C. Kors van der Ent, Louk J.M.J. Vanderschuren, Heidi M.B. Lesscher

Onderzoeksoutput: Bijdrage aan tijdschriftArtikel recenserenpeer review

169 Citaten (Scopus)

Samenvatting

Play is of vital importance for the healthy development of children. From a developmental perspective, play offers ample physical, emotional, cognitive, and social benefits. It allows children and adolescents to develop motor skills, experiment with their (social) behavioural repertoire, simulate alternative scenarios, and address the various positive and negative consequences of their behaviour in a safe and engaging context. Children with a chronic or life-threatening disease may face obstacles that negatively impact play and play development, possibly impeding developmental milestones, beyond the actual illness itself. Currently, there is limited understanding of the impact of (1) aberrant or suppressed play and (2) play-related interventions on the development of chronic diseased children. We argue that stimulating play behaviour enhances the adaptability of a child to a (chronic) stressful condition and promotes cognitive, social, emotional and psychomotor functioning, thereby strengthening the basis for their future health. Systematic play research will help to develop interventions for young patients, to better cope with the negative consequences of their illness and stimulate healthy development.

Originele taal-2Engels
Pagina's (van-tot)421-429
Aantal pagina's9
TijdschriftNeuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Volume95
DOI's
StatusGepubliceerd - dec. 2018

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