GiftNavResearch Library
FoundationalPeer-reviewed theoretical review· Peer-reviewed

The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children

Yogman, M., Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Golinkoff, R. M.; Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health; Council on Communications and Media (2018 (online August 20, 2018; September 2018 issue)). Pediatrics (American Academy of Pediatrics), 142(3), e20182058. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-2058.

Read the original source →

Summary

An American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report synthesizing research on developmentally appropriate play with adults and peers, describing play's role in supporting language, thinking, social-emotional skills, and self-regulation in young children.

Key findings

  • Developmentally appropriate play with caregivers and peers supports language and cognitive development.
  • Play supports social-emotional skills and self-regulation.
  • The report is a broad synthesis of the play-research literature, not a trial of any specific toy or gift.

GiftNav takeaway

Supports the general claim that open-ended, adult- or peer-involved play matters at this age -- used to frame why pretend play, building, and cooperative games are reasonable gift directions, without claiming any single product delivers these benefits.

Limitations & cautions

A clinical/policy synthesis report, not a single controlled study -- it establishes the broad developmental role of play in general, not the effect of any particular toy or gift.

Themes

Related Gift Guides

Last reviewed September 15, 2026.

Back to shopping entry