For many children, particularly boys, physical play is a declaration of friendship. It’s an alternative to vocalizing affection, building social bonds through shared, high-energy activity. How to Roughhouse Safely (The Ground Rules)
Contrary to the belief that roughhousing breeds aggression, it actually it. When children wrestle, they learn to distinguish between safe play and real fighting. They learn to read social cues, gauging when their peer is having fun and when they are genuinely distressed. This fosters empathy and self-control, teaching them to manage their own strength and power. 2. Building Resilience and Courage Roughhouse
However, research into child development suggests we should do the opposite: . For many children, particularly boys, physical play is