American Academy of Pediatrics wants doctors to write children a prescription for play

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but now those doctors say an afternoon of play could have the same result.

A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends doctors write children an actual prescription to play every day.

According to the report, playing with parents and peers is a critical part of healthy development and fundamental for learning life skills and reducing stress.

Play can also strengthen the relationship between a parent and a child.

Doctors say any type of play, from running outside to playing with board games or blocks, is good for children.

Experts said formally writing the prescription gives more weight to the recommendation to play.

“When we think about play, we think ‘that’s not work, that’s not important, it’s too much fun to be important,’ but the fact is that play contributes tremendously to children’s intellectual, social and physical development,” said Dr. David L. Hill.