For many years thereafter, the two families watched the faithful friends frolicking and chasing each other down that well-worn path between their houses.
At its most straightforward, a green neighborhood simply means more places for kids to play—which is vital since time spent outdoors is one of the strongest correlates of children's activity levels.
Determining the functions of play is difficult because the functions may be long-term, with beneficial effects not showing up until the animal's adulthood.
Her conclusions have been backed up by British research looking at children with relatively fewer toys, whose parents spend more time reading, singing or playing with them.