Daily informal play is disappearing from the lives of US children in this changing society. Children are loosing one of their guaranteed rights. Several factors are evident in today's society that affect the future of informal play and necessitate far stronger advocacy for play. More than one in five children live with inadequate provision for survival and development because of poverty and sub-standard living conditions. Children are rearing younger children.
Poverty forces children to be miniature adults during the early years.
It robs away a child's right to play. Changing cultural values. Parents overlook the social and emotional learning that comes through play. Inadequate time . Children's weekly itineraries are jammed with a progression of lessons and formal play opportunities such as music lessons, scout meetings, little league, soccer and dance lessons.