More parents are returning to screen-free play because high-stimulation digital media is linked to shorter attention spans and increased emotional reactivity in young children. A 2019 JAMA Pediatrics study found that preschoolers with higher screen exposure perform worse on developmental tests. The alternative is simpler than expected: outdoor toys, board games, and unstructured play. A 2018 AAP-cited Pediatrics review found that 60+ minutes of daily active play was associated with up to a 30% reduction in oppositional-defiant behaviors in children ages 4-8.