Parenting Insights
By Dr. Linda Carmichael
Updated: April 24, 2016
Originally Published: May 16, 2015
I must admit: I allow my children to ascend the slide.
Some parents might be taken aback, while others may simply roll their eyes. It appears that I’ve stumbled upon what many call the Great Playground Slide Controversy, which has become a hot topic in the realm of parenting. The traditional playground guideline is clear: ascend via the stairs and descend the slide. However, based on the reactions to a recent discussion, parents seem to fall into two distinct camps: those who strictly adhere to the rule and those who encourage their children to climb up the slide.
Those who advocate for the traditional method often express strong feelings against slide climbers. For instance, one mother argued that children who ascend the slide intimidate others, making them reluctant to slide down. Another parent expressed frustration at what she perceives as a failure of others to uphold the rules, stating she has no qualms about intervening with other people’s children. One commenter emphasized, “Ladders are for climbing,” insisting that parents have a duty to teach their kids about social norms. A common refrain among these parents is their disdain for perceived lax parenting.
Let me clarify: I am fully aware of the conventional playground rules. I’ve even reminded my children to follow them on occasion. However, I believe that climbing up the slide has its own merits. As long as there is no line of children waiting to descend, I support my kids’ curiosity and physical exploration. Climbing the slide holds just as much value as sliding down.
Ascending the slide fosters bodily awareness and engages the vestibular system, while the experience of sliding down helps children learn how to fall safely. In today’s world, many children do not receive enough physical activity, and developing better balance during childhood can lead to improved stability in adulthood.
Moreover, climbing the slide allows my children to test their limits in a safe environment. They discover how high they can go, whether they can reach the top, and when they will slide back down. This process builds both physical and emotional confidence. Even when they don’t succeed, there is a significant sense of achievement and perseverance involved in their efforts. They experiment with various holds and foot placements, enhancing their spatial awareness.
Perhaps most crucially, I want my children to feel free to engage with their environment creatively, rather than conforming to someone else’s expectations. When everyone else is sliding down, the act of climbing up becomes a form of self-expression and exploration. It encourages them to question established norms in a safe context, starting at the playground.
Naturally, this perspective may irritate the up-the-stairs, down-the-slide proponents. They might argue that I am prioritizing my children’s ability to challenge authority over another child’s right to slide down safely. To clarify, my children can only climb up when there is no one in line to descend, which minimizes disruption to others’ experiences.
I understand that not everyone agrees with my approach, and it provides an opportunity to discuss how different families establish different rules. While I refuse to stifle my children’s enjoyment based on others’ perceptions, I respect that some parents may want to prevent their kids from climbing up the slide. If that is the case, they should intervene with their own children rather than imposing restrictions on mine, who understand that they can only ascend when the slide is clear.
My children also recognize that the primary purpose of the slide is for going down. They are aware that climbing while others are waiting can lead to potential conflicts, such as an accidental collision. This serves as yet another valuable life lesson.
Ultimately, climbing the slide is a joyful experience. It’s something I did as a child, and I’m sure many of you did too. The excitement of negotiating hand and foot placements, coupled with the pride of reaching the top only to slide back down, forms a crucial part of childhood. I refuse to deny my children that joy, and I empathize with those who may choose differently.
So, when you see my kids at the park, be advised: we’ll yield to your children when they come down. However, when the coast is clear, my kids will take the opportunity to climb. It is an essential part of their development, and I am committed to providing them with that experience.
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Summary: The Great Playground Slide Debate highlights the differing philosophies in parenting regarding children’s play. Some parents advocate strict adherence to traditional slide usage rules, while others encourage exploration and creativity, believing that climbing the slide offers valuable lessons in physicality, confidence, and self-expression. Ultimately, both approaches reflect the diverse ways families choose to engage with their children’s development.