A new poll has found that children are not playing outside alone anymore, which is vastly different to how mom and dad remember growing up. When we look at how childhood has changed throughout the years, we can see vast differences in the way mom and dad grew up and how they are raising their children now. This can be seen in many different areas, like screen time and food that they eat. However, one of the biggest differences is children playing outside. When mom and dad were growing up, they were rushed outside, and the door shut behind them. There was no parent behind them watching and they were free to explore and play.
According to PHYS and the University of Reading, this is not happening anymore and children are not playing outside without adult supervision any longer. This conclusion came after new research was discovered with a recent survey that was taken of families in the UK. This does not mean children are never playing outside alone, but the age where they are permitted to has changed.
The survey was called the British Children’s Play Survey, and it was conducted in April 2020. It was the largest study of its kind to ever be completed, and it looked at a lot of different aspects of children’s play. The researchers asked parents of 1,919 children between the ages of 5 and 11. They were asked a series of questions about the play. Parents were also asked about what play looked like when they were younger.
Most parents in the survey said that they were allowed outside to play alone before they were 9 years old. This generation of children is not allowed outside alone until they are about 11 years old. Prof. Helen Dodd was the lead on the study, and she said that what they are seeing is that it is a trend to be protective when it comes to our children. This means that parents are providing their children with less freedom than they were provided as a child.
Dodd acknowledges that the reasons for this protectiveness are complex. It can be safely assumed that part of it is stranger danger and an increase in traffic in areas where children would play. While it may seem like a good thing to be protective and watch your children at all times, there can be downfolds.
Helen stated that this is lessening a child’s ability to assess and manage risk. They are not benefiting from having some independence to make choices. Also, children are not being as “adventurous” as developmentally needed for their mental health and wellbeing. It seems like a balance is difficult to find.
Sources: PHYS, University of Reading