Monday, 23 February 2026

Unlocking Intelligence Through the Power of Play

 

Presenter: Rashmi. N

Affiliation: JSS Medical College, India

Presentation Type: Oral Presentation (In-Person)

Title: Association of play duration and cognitive development in preschoolers (3-6 years) and school children


🎮 Play Time & Brain Power: What’s the Connection?

🧠 Why Play Matters

Play is increasingly recognised as essential not only for children’s enjoyment but also for intellectual growth and emotional well-being. While many studies confirm that play benefits overall development, fewer have explored how the duration of play specifically influences cognitive outcomes.

This study examined:

·         The association between play duration and cognitive development

·         The optimal play duration for maximal cognitive growth

·         The relationship between type of play and specific cognitive skills in children aged 3–12 years


👨👩👧 Study Snapshot

A total of 565 children participated (175 preschoolers and 390 school-aged children). Parents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to record play duration and related factors.

Cognitive and behavioural assessments included:

·         Gessel’s Drawing Test (preschoolers)

·         Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (school children)

·         Vineland Social Maturity Scale

·         Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire

All results were statistically analysed.


👶 Preschoolers (3–6 Years)

Children who played 2–3 hours daily showed the largest proportion of intellectually superior scores.

Key findings:

·         1–3 hours of play on school days was linked to higher IQ and social quotient

·         3–5 hours during vacation was associated with better pro-social behaviour

·         Structured outdoor play (1–3 hours) showed the highest median IQ

·         Structured indoor play (2–3 hours) showed the highest social age

·         Positive correlation between IQ and social quotient

·         Fewer emotional problems among children with adequate play duration


🏫 School Children (6–12 Years)

Children playing 2–5 hours daily at home during school days were more likely to be intellectually superior or above average.

Additional observations:

·         0.5–1 hour of play during school recess was associated with higher IQ scores

·         Increased screen time was significantly linked to emotional, conduct, and attention problems

·         Lower screen time was associated with higher social quotient

·         Urban children engaged more in structured play

·         Rural children were more involved in unstructured/free play


📊 The Takeaway

Balanced play duration plays a critical role in cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Optimal play:

·         1–3 hours daily for preschoolers

·         2–5 hours daily for school-aged children

·         Limited screen exposure

·         Inclusion of structured indoor and outdoor activities

Play is not merely recreation—it is a foundation for intellectual and social growth.


👩⚕️ About the Speaker

Dr. Rashmi.N is a Pediatrician with an MBBS and DNB Pediatrics degree, specializing in developmental Pediatrics research. She holds a PhD in Developmental Pediatrics from JSSAHER, Mysore, India. She is working in JSS Medical College, JSSAHER as Associate Professor in Pediatrics and has about 22 years of experience as a Pediatrician. She has 40 publications to her credit and has authored 5 book chapters.


🌍 Join the Global Conversation

Event: International Conference on Pediatrics, Neonatology & Child Health
📅 March 26–28, 2026
📍 Singapore & Online
🔗 Website: https://pediatrics.miconferences.com/
🔗 Register: https://pediatrics.miconferences.com/register
🔗 Abstract Submission: https://pediatrics.miconferences.com/abstract-submission

📩 Email: pediatrics@mathewsconference.com
📞 Phone: +1 (312) 462-4448
💬 WhatsApp: +1 (424) 377-0967

#Pediatrics #ChildHealth #Neonatology #EarlyChildhood #ChildDevelopment #InfantCare #PediatricResearch #ChildWellbeing #HealthcareInnovation #SocialPediatrics #PediatricConference #HybridConference #GlobalHealth #MedicalResearch #ChildProtection #ChildMentalHealth #ChildGrowth #AbstractSubmission #CallForAbstracts #ResearchConference #InternationalConference #ConferenceAlert #SingaporeEvents 

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