OPINION
Connected to your community
Sometimes its best to just let the kids play
M
y son made it quite clear he doesn’t want to join anything this summer. That made me
feel anxious. It seems every kid in the neighbourhood, from as young as two, will at least be playing soccer or going to day camp or doing swimming lessons. What’s wrong with my kid? In his words, “Mom, I just want to play.” Admittedly, he’s been saying this for years, and the poor kid’s not even seven yet. But every year, anxious about his well-being – Will he have enough structure? Will he learn to be a team player? – I force him into some basketball course or music class to offset what I view as a lack of general structure in our lives. It turns out, however, that structure is pretty much killing our kids. Not only is it making them more anxious, but it’s denying them the opportunity for natural play experiences that are essential to children’s core development, including observation, problem-solving and risk-identification skills. Health scientists have also noticed a severe decline in children’s gross motor abilities over the past 20 years, which they attribute to the predominance of play in man-made parks and
BRYNNA LESLIE Capital Muse on structures, rather than on natural terrain. They’re also not getting as much fitness benefit from indoor gym-time or organized sports as they would left to their own resources in a field, believe it or not. Kids are being pushed into structured activities at much younger ages than ever before – the stress on early education and the necessity of daycare environments means kids spend three-quarters of their day inside, often just sitting around. Even when the kids are thought to be exercising, many are actually sedentary. Up to 60 per cent of kids will stand at a play structure rather than use it. In organized sports, they often spend as much time sitting on the sidelines as they do moving. And the science backs this up. To summarize, this generation of “structured” children are more likely to be overweight, anxious and lack creativity than the generations of their parents or grandparents. Believe it or not, just letting the
kids play, particularly in natural environments, is about the best thing we can do for our children. Playing in nature has some important connotations for education, society and their health as well. For one thing, it can mitigate bullying. In natural play areas – unlike on play structures – researchers have noted in numerous studies that social hierarchies diminish. In nature, kids are more collaborative, creative and even shy kids assume leadership positions once in a while. Exposure to nature can improve their school work. Kids that spend time in nature are more attentive and do better on tests. It will make them healthier in every way. Kids who are allowed to just play, rather than forced into structured activities, are more physically fit, less likely to experience symptoms of attention disorders and have overall less anxiety. I know there will be people reading this who say, “but my child thrives in a structured environment. Why should I deny her the opportunity?” I would say that you and your child are victims of modern thinking, like me and everyone else. But take
a moment and calculate how many hours per day your child spends in a structured environment – school, daycare, lessons, homework. Most children spend about three-quarters of their days inside. Sadly, just being “contained” with four walls and a ceiling is ruining their eyes because they don’t challenge and stretch themselves to take in long views or investigate microscopic objects. Now think about the last time you just stood in the background while she played in the dirt. Of all the activities noted above, playing in the dirt is the most likely to determine her future success and, more importantly, happiness. We think, as parents, that kids need structure. We are told that it’s important they learn to follow rules, that they learn to read early. We brag to our friends when our kids write the alphabet at three-years-old. But the reality is, the future leaders are the kids with mud on their hands and the ones climbing trees. They’re the ones who will be innovative. They’re the ones who will do well in school and life. They’re the ones who will be happy. They’re the ones we should be emulating.
LETTERS
SNOWTIME SAMARITANS To the editor, I was driving on Goulbourn Forced Road in Kanata on Feb. 11, around 9 a.m. There was a little snow on the ground and when I tried to brake for a turn, the car lost control, running into a snow bank on the other side of the road. My brain was completely down for the count. I was very lucky that a lady stopped her car, and tried to dig the tire out. Then more people stopped and helped, two ladies and three gentlemen helped to push the car. At that time, a car stopped behind us, and the person shouted, “We have a truck!” Finally, the truck dragged the car out of the snow. Many thanks to the two ladies and three gentlemen, and especially the two truck owners. You bring the real warmth to Kanata in this cold winter! Yucca Hu Katimavik ** See LETTERS, page10
613.592.6400
THIS WEEK’S POLL QUESTION:
Is the city doing the right thing by getting tough on owners of vacant properties?
PREVIOUS POLL SUMMARY:
Would you purchase e-books through the Ottawa library if given the chance?
A) Yes. These properties can easily be-
A) Yes. I love e-books and I’d love to help out the public library.
B) In some instances yes, but all land-
B) It depends if they’re sold in a format that fits my e-reader.
8%
C) No. I don’t think the public library should be in the book-selling business.
42%
come a blight on a neighbourhood.
owners shouldn’t be painted with the same brush.
C) No. The city already has too much power over private property owners. D) What about the properties that aren’t
vacant, yet get run down?
25%
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D) I guess not – I don’t even own a e-reader.
25%
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To vote in our web polls, visit us at www.yourottawaregion.com/community/cityofottawa
Anniversary Sale
now on.
EVERYTHING ON SALE!
Floor models drastically reduced to make room for new inventory.
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STITTSVILLE - $769,900
hErITagE hILLS - $599,900
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00sq.ft (Incl.
AT LUXE HOME INTERIORS WE PROVIDE DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR ANY BUDGET AND WE MAKE IT BOTH FUN AND EASY.
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rIChMOND - $529,900
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MOrgaN’S graNT – $479,900
Stunning Cardel Home. Custom Kennedy ~2600sq.ft. 4 lrg Beds, 3Bth. HW flrs, beautiful open concept kitchen, located across from park. Immediate Occupancy avail.
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Fabulous Braebury executive 4 Bed, 3 Bath home set on a gorgeous ‘pie shaped’ lot on a quiet crescent Updates include stunning Kitchen & gorgeous landscaping.
R0011965630
Kanata Kourier-Standard EMC - Thursday, March 14, 2013 9