Imaginary companions are a normal and joyful part of childhood.
By nurturing strong father-child attachment, fathers contribute to the growth, resilience and happiness of their children.
Goodboy Picture Company/Getty Images
Children who play a lot learn skills such as sitting, crawling and standing quicker. Play also leads to better health and wellbeing as they grow older.
Play and storytelling are a crucial part of children’s cognitive development.
PixelCatchers
A new study shows how front yards can serve as windows into the inner lives of their residents – and their feelings about their home, neighborhood and city.
A mural by Ricardo Islas dedicated to a skater called Raymond in Chicano Park skatepark, San Diego.
Andrea Buchetti
Is it a STEM education or a STEAM education? Integrating arts into science programming and vice versa can pique kids’ curiosity − a play touring Michigan aims to do just that.
Laughter is so fundamental that animals like chimps, rats and dogs share the ability with humans. But in people it serves more serious social functions than just letting others know you’re having fun.
The playful Heeler family has amassed fans of all ages.
Ian Kitt/BBC Studios
Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts and Design; Coordinator, Play, Creativity and Wellbeing Project, Centre for Creative and Cultural Research, University of Canberra