Recently I came across this image that disturbed me. Being a parent and sports entrepreneur, I am always advocating play, professionally and at home. So when the community we live in, attempted to stop the children from playing outdoors, I was shocked. Why would well-meaning, well-educated adults stop a child from playing, her basic right?
Today’s scenario
It is a fact- the youngest generation alive today is far more cosmopolitan and intuitive than their parents were when they were younger. Technology and digitization have a major role to play in this transformation. Modern parents spend lesser time with their children than their parents did and they provide them alternate companions- smartphones and tablets.
Children prefer surfing “their” phones, playing video games or watching videos that entertain them rather than reading or developing a hobby. And they hardly play outside. Outdoor time aka “PT period” has become a mere task that they need to perform in school. It is most disturbing to hear friends narrate stories on how they force their children to go outdoors and play.
Shrinking communities and lack of modern playgrounds haven’t helped the cause either.
How does outdoor play help the situation?
Research is replete with studies that show a link between deteriorating immune systems and health issues in children to their limited outdoor exposure.
Playing outdoors is very important for the holistic development of a child. Some of the basic advantages of outdoor play for children are-
- Play introduces them to new surroundings and the environment of which they are a part of;
- Play improves their immune system;
- Play improves brain development and motor skills;
- Play teaches social skills by mingling with children of different backgrounds/ mental/ physical abilities.
Outdoor play and developmental milestones
Research shows that children exposed to outdoor activities from the time they are infants, develop faster mentally and physically compared to those who do not.
While an infant (0-2 years) needs to be introduced to its surroundings to get accustomed to the various noises, smells, views and play equipment to aid mobility, a toddler needs to play outdoors to make friends, become independent, healthy and creative.
A child becomes creative when she learns to adapt to her surroundings and make the most of what is given to her. Playing outdoors on playground equipments that are specifically designed to tap the creative side, allow children to think laterally while improving their problem-solving skills.
What can motivate the child to go out and play rather than sit with gadgets?
The modern child is not excited to play on good ol’ swings and see-saws. That should not come as a surprise, because after all we do not enjoy entertainment platforms that our parents did!
Our “digitally charged” children need open-ended play experiences that help build their crucial physical, cognitive, social, and creative skills. Unprescribed but safe play that allow children the creativity of pretend play will motivate them to play outdoors more often.
An example of such an equipment is the sculpture-like PlayCubes by Playworld- a cuboctahedron climbing playground that inspires people of all ages and abilities to come together. Playworld is a company that is committed to developing play products according to age and ability. Like PlayCube, Playworld equipments are designed with the concept of “inclusive play” and decades of research by engineers, landscape artists, architects and child development specialists.
Signing off
I wish more parents, educators, caregivers and government bodies will speak up for this lost art of play in urban settings. We have research that shows how crucial childhood outdoor play is and we have companies that are dedicated to this cause. However what is lacking are “voices”. Voices that speak for a child’s right to play. Voices that educate communities and societies about “play value”. Voices that bring the magic of play back to our children.
Playworld is available in India through their official distributor-Sports Supply Co. (sportssupplyco.in)