2020 has been a year like no other.
Lockdown and restrictive measures have canceled children’s activities, reduced time in school, and required them to spend more time indoors. This led to significantly less physical activity for each and everyone, including children.
Also, the pandemic made us more cautious about our activities.
However, with summer holidays in full swing and as restrictions and lockdowns were reduced, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) said that it is the right time to encourage children to engage in physical activities outdoors.
APA also said that overprotective parents could inhibit the natural development of their children.
Nicole Haynes, Chair of the APA Paediatric Group, said that outdoor activities for children could give a range of benefits—from physical, psychological, social, and cognitive development, giving them a capacity to establish independence and reach physical milestones.
Ms. Haynes also said that demanding activities also promote muscle development and growth.
She added that despite the current trend of having a structured life for children, parents could help decide the things to be done even when it comes to the playground.
Parents and grandparents can encourage their children to participate in unstructured play, as Ms. Haynes puts it, risky play.
This can help children develop their risk assessment abilities and confidence over their physical and cognitive attributes.
With parents nowadays being over-protective, halting the progressive development of children is no doubt. She said that parents must consider the benefits of risk plays to their children.
Ms. Haynes, however, maintained that APA does not encourage parents to expose their children to hazards or to leave them unsupervised.
She said that the parents' participation would be more on the aspect of modifying the playgrounds of their children.
Lastly, Ms. Haynes that it is equally important to consider gender-equal games for the children.
This could not only inspire the children to be more gender-sensitive, but it can also ensure a certain degree of respect—an essential element for development as a child.
