Parents know play benefits children by allowing them to burn off all the energy they have trapped in those little bodies. In addition to the physical aspects of play, parents need to understand that play allows children to develop social and motor skills and allows them to learn how to explore objects and come to conclusions based on those experiences. However, some parents have questions regarding play and what is actually beneficial for children.

Q: What makes a toy 'educational?'
A: Just because a toy has numbers and letters, it isn't automatically educational. A real educational toy is dependent upon the number of things children can do with it. This allows children to explore and make choices about what they want to do with it. Also it allows children to see that different choices end in different results. Children should be offered play materials allowing them these options. Should children be enrolled in an early care program, the basis for its curriculum should be play options, rather than school-like activities with worksheets.

Q: Should children play 'superhero?'
A: The fantasy play allows children's imaginations to take control. Imagining they are fighting off enemies and protecting the world gives them a feeling of power and strength they might not usually feel. But as with any play, there is always a chance for children to be hurt or for play to get too rough. Adults should always supervise any activity involving children and be the voice of moderation.

Q: Should children play with toys based on characters from TV and movies?
A: More often than not children want these toys to re-create what they have seen the characters do on the shows. Children aren't coming up with their own adventures for the characters, they are merely repeating what they have seen. Children aren't shaping their own play; someone else is dictating their play. These restrictions close off so many possibilities. The benefit of play is exploratory in nature and by allowing children to play with toys that disregard that benefit parents are undermining children's learning processes.

Q: How much television is too much?
A: Before answering this, parents must realize that what children are watching is just as vital as how long they spend watching it. If children are watching educational programming, such as Sesame Street and Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, television can be a positive influence. However, if children are watching cartoons that depict violence or any actions that parents deem inappropriate, television can be a negative influence. Moderation is the key when determining how much children should watch.

Q: Should I let my children play on computers?
A: If children are interacting with a learning game or activity on the computer and actively enjoying it, they should be allowed. Computers have become a vital part of our society, so allowing children to develop skills on them is logical. Once again, moderation is the key with playing on the computers; parents should supervise how much time children spend on the computer.

Q: Do children need rules when they play?
A: Here, the minimum is the rule. In order for children's play to be productive there should be only a few basic rules they must adhere to. One, no one should be hurt in play. Two, if an argument begins, it ends with talking, not fighting. Three, when children are done playing, all toys should be returned to their original place.

Q: How do I play with my child?
A: Parents are children's first interaction and influence of play. Parents should try to remember what it was like to be a child and let their children lead the way of the play. Whether it's playing house, dressing up or wrestling around on the floor, let children decide what to do. Parents should always try to be at children's eye-level and remember to just have fun.