Having a coffee on my own while 4 kids kick about our holiday house. It’s loud, there’s kids running through, intermittent shouting “mama help!”, giggles, cries, joyful laughter, jumping, playing… It’s what screen free time looks and feels like. It’s messy and chaotic. But this is the kind of play that helps them learn social skills, how to join a game, negotiate, repair… play isn’t just fun. It’s where foundational skills are built and their brains and bodies get to regulate too.