In today’s educational landscape, children are missing out on the unstructured playtime they desperately need. Despite their boundless energy, schools are increasingly limiting opportunities for kids to engage in free play. Angela Thompson, a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Nature Explorers, argues that this excessive focus on safety is counterproductive. In her insightful essay for The Daily Review, she emphasizes that the rigid structure surrounding recess and other playtime activities is harming children’s development.
Thompson notes a troubling trend: in 2015, the number of public schools in urban areas employing occupational therapy to enhance student focus surged by 30%. She believes this uptick is linked to children being unable to expend their energy freely. “The very movements we restrict to keep children ‘safe’ are the same ones I’ve used in therapy to address behaviors that teachers find concerning,” she states. To illustrate her point, she shares anecdotes from kids. One 10-year-old remarked, “We have swings, but we can’t swing too high. They think we’ll fall. I believe I can swing higher.” Other kids echoed similar sentiments about restrictions that, while well-intentioned, may actually exacerbate restlessness.
It seems schools have adopted a similar approach to parenting known as “helicopter parenting,” marked by over-scheduling and excessive oversight. While the intent to safeguard our children is commendable, this constant vigilance can hinder their growth. Children require physical activity; recess exists for a reason. When kids burn off energy, they are more likely to concentrate in class. Parents of young children know that evening routines are smoother when kids have had an opportunity to play throughout the day.
Thompson raises serious concerns about the impact of limited playtime. Not only is unstructured play decreasing, but when it does occur, it is often heavily monitored, which can stunt kids’ development. Research indicates that as children grow, accidents are on the rise, linked to a lack of balance skills due to insufficient free play. It may be tempting to keep kids occupied with screens, but Thompson advocates for at least three hours of active play each day—something that we must prioritize both at home and in schools.
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In summary, it is crucial that we recognize the importance of outdoor play for children’s health and development. Schools and parents must work together to ensure children have ample opportunity for free, unstructured playtime to foster their growth.