All work and no play makes Jack a 'depressed' boy

Melbourne, November 4: Kids who do not get enough playtime in early childhood, tend to suffer from depression and mental illness in adolescence, says an Aussie expert.

Adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg has said about one in four young people battle a mental illness before they reach the age of 18.

He said that it is vital for children to learn resilience in their early years and this can be done effectively through play.

"Children teach themselves to crawl, stand and walk through repetitious practice play," News.com.au quoted Carr-Gregg as saying.

"At the preschool level, children engage in dramatic play and learn who is a leader, who is a follower, who is outgoing, who is shy. They also learn to negotiate their own conflicts," he added.

Play not only promotes social skills but children who receive an enriched, play-oriented parenting and early childhood program have higher IQs at age five than other children deprived of such experience, said Carr-Gregg.

With technological development children have unintentionally moved indoors.

"Children who might once have enjoyed a pick-up game of football now watch the game on TV, sitting on their couch," he said.

With an increase in the number of working parents, children spend their free time in adult-oriented activities instead of childhood play, he added.