Last week, the New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/muffy_can_play_AP6ELbpb1BiTQgonhOrCTJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Local)reported that some rich Manhattan parents have begun paying $400 an hour for consultants to arrange and oversee play dates for their pre-school children so they can learn how to properly socialize with others and fare better in their applications to New York's elite private schools. This is such a sad commentary on the decline of unstructured play in this country that I decided to devote this week's show to talking directly to my listeners about why it is critical that we return play to our children. I'll be speaking on a similar subject at the World Congress of Play (http://www.worldcongressofplay.com/)in late September. Take a listen and learn why the best thing you can do for your kids is send them out to the back yard to play. It will make your life easier and your child more happy and more successful. After you have heard the show, please share your thoughts on this important topic by sending me an e-mail at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). I welcome the input before my talk and I'll be sure to update you all after the conference to let you know what the world's play leaders have to say.