”I’m A Big Kid!”

~ Elizabeth

The above photo shows only a small part of the playground designed for older kids. I had difficulty getting a picture with no children in it(to preserve their privacy.) This large area, across the sidewalk from the toddler playscape, attracts a constant flow of children, mostly from ages 3 to around 12. The structure pictured above is a combined rope and bar set up for climbing. The area also includes a large multilevel platform, slides, climbing bars, and swings. Since adults are mostly uninvolved as the kids play, benches around the perimeter allow them to sit and watch.

A few weeks ago I learned from a sports physician that for many children organized sports are their only physical activity. As a result many children lack an overall healthy physical development that can come from free play. Growing up in the 1950’s when unstructured play was normal, I had never considered how we ended up with flexibility and strength that a sport focused on a particular set of skills might not have provided.

After talking with him I gained new appreciation for the local park’s “big kid” play area. I watch children invent challenges and games since the structures invite but don’t dictate their use. No wonder that so many over programmed kids run free of uniforms and rules into the place. Their squeals and laughter accompany them each time I walk by revealing that they don’t have be taught how to play.

12 thoughts on “”I’m A Big Kid!””

  4. One beauty of childhood is most children excel at playing, which requires taking turns and often using their imaginations.

    I often describe myself as “a big kid in an adult’s body.” I loved going out at recess and PE to play games with my students. They got such a kick watching their old teacher running around playing tag with them.

    Like

    Reply

  5. Yes, you ‘get it’, and this is what teachers of young children try to provide. I’ll tell you more; unstructured play is also critical to a child’s social and emotional development. They have to work with other kids, negotiate, create a level of who is the leader or follower, and so much more. These are life skills! When these children are out in the real world, they need these skills, big time. Remember when the astronauts were landing on the moon, and things went very wrong? They had to think on their feet and rely on skills they learned in childhood. Isn’t that wonderful? Unstructured play is critical for the body, and the mind. Apologies for rambling, Elizabeth. This is a wonderfully important post.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment