Despite all the strange attributes of gaming, it is a wonderfully important activity and experience. The lack of play in early childhood programs is impractical and disappointing. Americans deny their students what they need, so they can measure their academic intelligence, without thinking about their social and emotional intelligence, which is just as important. Playing is much more than just playing. Playing is necessary. Play is about learning, engaging, thinking, understanding, caring, knowing, experiencing and much more. Play must be restored to American early childhood