- By: Irfan Khan Tareen
The majority of us are well acquainted with famous English saying, ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ Similarly, scholars emphasize that a healthy body ensures a healthy mind. In our society, it has always been acknowledged by all that play and sports are essential for physical and mental health development. In fact, for all age groups—-young and old alike. Play, indeed, I believe, is one of the best ways of recreation, refreshment and entertainment—-in comparison with other co-curricular activities.
Unfortunately, the culture of play, it is widely observed, is slowly and gradually diminishing due to persistent neglect and dearth of awareness regarding the benefits of outdoor games in our life. As a consequence, people have abandoned participating in sports. Now, children and all are more attracted to digital entertainment. Besides, greater academic pressure and changing social values lead to less emphasis on traditional sports.
These shifts have significant impacts on culture and society. Fewer kids playing outdoor games lead to long term health issues. Sports’ role in building character and community is being challenged by new forms of engagement. And, children are now inclined towards digital entertainment, resulting in reduced physical activity and increased stress.
No doubt, frequent bans on fun fairs, galas and sports in our society—-in many public and private educational institutions—-dampen students’ enthusiasm to actively and regularly engage in meaningful co-curricular activities. Even, these are time and again described as squalid, shallow and waste of time and in some instances, even unethical.
Besides, majority of parents and school administrators continue confining students to academic studies, while reflecting heedlessness towards the importance of outdoors. As a result, our children appear least creative, intelligent and confident and physically frail. Let us clearly elaborate the the various advantages of playing outdoor games.
First, play helps us to learn through experience. It boosts up the ability of a player to explore and handle difficult situations in a better way, and to deal with ups and downs. On one hand, by cultivating the values of patience, leadership, responsibility, hard work, and optimism in children, they assist in improving social and critical skills. It provides better and better opportunities to learn from and interact with others, on the other hand. Of course, these are noble qualities that make one a well-built personality.
Second, according to psychiatrists and scientific studies, play is a remedy for many diseases and a cure for the sick. Because, regular engagement in outdoor games for a few hours improves the function of organ systems of the body apart from strengthening nervous co-ordination and improving endocrine system. In addition, it’s believed, sports do help in reducing anxiety and mental stress.
Third, conducting galas and sports contests within a society promotes diversity and understanding between different communities. Interestingly, by engaging children in creative language activities that develop vocabulary and word recognition, sports indirectly assist in increasing the literacy rate. Involving in games, children come across other creative activities; such as calculating numbers, solving problems and designing mathematical patterns.
It is , therefore, inevitably imperative to undertake individual and collective endeavours to revive and reinforce the culture of play and sports. First, investment in sports infrastructure is necessary. Second, play must be declared as an essential component of the academic curriculum. Third, we—-as parents, teachers and educators—-ought to encourage children to actively participate in outdoor games, such as cricket, football, volleyball, etc. In this regard, sports organisations and government have key role to play by fostering awareness among, highlighting the importance of play in our lives and allocating sufficient funds. However, children will undeniably resort to meaningless activities, if parents discourage them to play outdoors.
As ‘health is wealth ‘, we need to cut out proper time every day for sports and play to remain physically and mentally strong. Otherwise, life without such recreational and refreshing activities becomes dull and lazy.’ However, limiting oneself just to studies and office work is fruitless routine, making body and mind exhausted. Let us firmly acknowledge that ‘ all work, and no play makes Jack all dull boy’, and ‘ a sound mind needs a sound body’. Play is meaningful and productive use of time.