{"id":4376,"date":"2026-07-21T08:15:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T08:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/?p=4376"},"modified":"2026-07-21T08:15:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T08:15:07","slug":"ensure-children-can-play-outside-independently-letter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/?p=4376","title":{"rendered":"Ensure children can play outside independently | Letter"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u2018The consequences are disastrous \u2026 when we prevent children from access to free play and independence.\u2019 Photograph: monkeybusinessimages\/Getty Images\/iStockphoto<\/figcaption>
\u2018The consequences are disastrous \u2026 when we prevent children from access to free play and independence.\u2019 Photograph: monkeybusinessimages\/Getty Images\/iStockphoto<\/figcaption>Letters
\nEnsure children can play outside independently<\/p>\n

Urban transport policies and residential design need to respect outdoor play as a vital necessity for children, says Ellen Weaver<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the brilliant Swiss research cited by Lenore Skenazy (If you want your kids to thrive this summer, don\u2019t just turn off their phones \u2013 open your front door, too,15 July), young children playing unsupervised was culturally accepted and normal. The children in the Swiss study who did not play outside independently were prevented from doing so by traffic<\/p>\n

Yes, we need to relieve Health<\/a>“>health<\/a>“>parents<\/a> of the horrendous pressure of cultural expectation that children will always be supervised, but parents can\u2019t open their doors for children to go out and play in traffic. Urban transport policies and residential design need to respect outdoor play as a vital necessity for children<\/p>\n

The Swiss research proved that playgrounds don\u2019t meet children\u2019s needs for play. In the study, the parents of children who couldn\u2019t play out where they lived frequently took them to playgrounds. Nevertheless, those children were significantly limited in their personal confidence, cognitive development, social abilities, and fine and gross motor skills, compared with children who played out by their homes, where the amount and quality of play was far greater.<\/p>\n

You recently reported that UK children will be one of unhealthiest generations in decades.<\/em> In much of the rest of Europe, it is still normal for children to go places without an adult taking them. Children meet up with friends to play in public spaces without anyone calling the police \u2013 no wonder they\u2019re much more active, confident and healthy. The consequences are disastrous and enormously costly when we prevent children from access to sufficient free play and independence.<\/p>\n

Tech companies must be made to end harmful, addictive content, but we shouldn\u2019t be surprised that children play virtually when so often they cannot actually play where they live. Andy Burnham should join the dots, take play seriously and appoint a minister for children.Ellen Weaver<\/strong>Hartland, Devon<\/em><\/p>\n

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