title: [Play, an indicator of the health of children].
abstract: Africans attach much importance to the fact that their children like to play. A child who is not hungry and refuses to play is not in good health. When a sick child wants to play again one can be sure that his health is improving. Thus, play can be a health indicator and can help to form a diagnosis. Moreover, the way the child plays is a mental health indicator. During games one can distinguish the leaders who are mentally well-balanced, those who try to cheat and who must be carefully watched, and those who are shy and withdrawn. The latter will have difficulties in adapting to a normal social life. The author also discusses what games can be put in the hands of children and rejects all arms such as rifles, guns, pistols or tanks. He ends by recalling that article 7 of the Rights of Children specifies that children must be given every opportunity to play and that games should have an educational value.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002651:Child Advocacy; D003906:Developing Countries; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012951:Socialization
vernacular_title: Le jeu, un indicateur de santé de l'enfant.