Unplug and Play

Unplug and Play teaches parents how rough-and-tumble play can nurture close connections, encourage resilience, boost confidence, and more-with 50 illustrated activities to get you started.Every kid needs horseplay! Roughhousing is an essential part of childhood development-but it's increasingly overlooked in favor of screen time and structured activities. In Unplug and Play, a doctor and a child psychologist-both dads-introduce parents to the benefits of physical play for young children, and suggest some fun moves, games, and techniques to inject a little rowdiness into your family life. Drawing from gymnastics, martial arts, ballet, traditional sports, and even animal behavior, the authors present 50 illustrated activities for children and parents to enjoy together-everything from basic wrestling to pool-noodle jousting to the challenging "Peter Parker" (running up walls like Spider-Man). With activities ranging from toddlers to 12 and up, you'll build a foundation for a lifetime of enriching physical play. Previously published as The Art of Roughhousing in 2011, this updated and re-illustrated edition incorporates new child development research and addresses the changing role of screen time.