Once children used to roam around the whole day freely, do adventurous things, and live life to the fullest, but now this scenario is rare to come across! In today’s context, a playful and colorful childhood is like a fairytale that they have never had a chance to experience fully, right?
Childhood is the golden time for anyone to enjoy a life that is colorful, vibrant, joyful, and free from all the chaos of life at the same time. There was a golden age of children’s play when they could play spontaneously like a free bird. That golden age indicates the first half of the 20th century. However, a sudden decrease in free play opportunities has been observed since the 1960s. Now, children are not seen as spontaneously playing outdoor sports and interacting with their peers as children in the first half of the 20th century.
Children are now the victims of expectation! Everyone has mountain-like expectations from them and they are bound to fulfill those countless expectations at the cost of their recreation! Most of the expectations circulate only to excel at academics. In the process of prioritizing only academics, children are deprived of a colorful life. The most concerning fact is that the adverse effect of play deficit childhood is mostly overlooked.
Key factors contributing to the decline of play
Excessive Academic Pressures:
Getting prepared to be the best in a competitive world is appreciated. Still, it becomes problematic when children from the very early phase of their childhood are being put in a race for excellence. As such, too much academic pressure can deprive these flourishing free birds of spreading their wings in the sky. Eventually, they become disinclined to engage in playful activities.
Wrong parenting:
If a child can’t get time to play and live life to the fullest, then who will? This question should be asked to all those parents who don’t let their children get involved in outdoor activities. Most parents often think that playing is a mere waste of time and energy and they don’t let their children take a break from academics and explore the world sportingly.
Technological advancements:
In the era of technological advancements, children think devices are the best alternative to playing in the playground! Instead of going out to the playground, they prefer playing video games on the phone or watching television at home. Excessive addiction to technology can be another reason for children’s decline in play.
Rapid Urbanization:
Because of urbanization, the number of playgrounds in the city is decreasing drastically but who cares? If there is no playground in their locality, it will be obvious that the children will be reluctant to play!
Tight Schedule:
Have you ever thought of your child who is being stuck in a never-ending loop where there’s no time to relax their mind? Their day starts with studying and then the whole day, they have to attend schools, coaching classes, recitation classes, singing classes, and whatnot! This tight schedule makes them more disinclined to play.
How can we reverse this condition?
The parents need to be educated about the importance of play in the overall development of children.
Educational institutions must prioritize play in early childhood education and incorporate more unstructured play in the early phase of academic life.
Policymakers should enhance more funding for green spaces and playgrounds as children will automatically be motivated to do outdoor activities if there is ample space for playing.
A play-friendly environment should be created where children can play spontaneously and safely.
Permission has to be given to the children to get engaged in different kinds of play so that their self-resilience, decision-making, problem-solving skills, leadership, and some other essential skills get fostered through playing.
To reduce the fear of child abduction, community-based approaches should be promoted, reassuring the parents about the safety of their children.
Hence, learning through playing should be the utmost priority during childhood and no one has the right to snatch away the vibrant color of playful childhood from any child! Only circulating the academics can become an absolute barrier to the overall development of any child! The more quickly it is understood, the better it will be for the overall development of children.
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Writer
Taspia
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE