Children today have forgotten how to play. Assess this statement.

Hook: In an age dominated by screens and structured routines, the nature of childhood play is undergoing significant transformation.
Background: Brief overview of the importance of play in child development and how it has changed over the years.
Thesis Statement: Although modern technology and structured schedules have altered traditional play, children today still engage in play through digital platforms and organised activities, suggesting that play has evolved rather than disappeared.

Topic Sentence: The pervasive presence of technology has significantly reduced traditional forms of play among children.
Example 1: In the United Kingdom, a study by the Royal Society for Public Health found that children spend an average of 3-4 hours daily on screens, limiting time for physical play.
Example 2: In Japan, concerns over increased screen time have led to initiatives promoting outdoor activities, such as the “Play, Play, Play Campaign” aimed at reducing children’s screen dependency.
Analysis: Discuss how these examples demonstrate the shift from physical to digital play, suggesting that traditional forms of play are being neglected.

Topic Sentence: Children’s lives today are often overly structured, leaving little room for spontaneous play.
Example 1: In South Korea, the highly competitive education system results in children attending after-school academies, reducing their free time for unstructured play.
Example 2: In China, the “Tiger Parenting” approach emphasizes academic and extracurricular achievement, further restricting time for leisurely play.
Analysis: Examine how these cultural practices and educational pressures contribute to a decline in free, spontaneous play among children.

Topic Sentence: Despite changes, children today still engage in forms of play, albeit in different ways.
Example 1: In Finland, the educational system incorporates “Lego Serious Play” in classrooms to blend learning with creative play, highlighting an innovative approach to play.
Example 2: The popularity of online games and virtual worlds in Europe, such as Minecraft and Roblox, where children build, explore, and interact, showing that digital play can be creative and social.
Example 3: In Australia, the rise of adventure playgrounds designed to encourage risk-taking and imaginative play, reflecting an adaptation to modern play preferences.
Analysis: Discuss how these examples illustrate that play is not forgotten but has adapted to contemporary contexts and technologies.

Topic Sentence: Structured and organised activities still provide valuable play experiences for children.
Example 1: In Italy, after-school sports clubs and arts programmes offer children opportunities for play and social interaction within a structured setting.
Example 2: In the Netherlands, the “Brede School” initiative integrates play and learning through community-based extracurricular activities, supporting holistic development.
Analysis: Explore how these organised activities maintain the essence of play while fitting into modern schedules, ensuring children still benefit from play experiences.

Restate Thesis: While technology and structured schedules have transformed traditional play, children today continue to engage in play through digital platforms and organised activities, indicating that play has evolved rather than been forgotten.
Summary of Key Points: Recap the main supporting and opposing views discussed.
Final Thought: Emphasise the importance of recognising and supporting diverse forms of play in modern childhood to ensure well-rounded development and happiness.