Schools are holding kids back from the free play they desperately need. With all that pent-up energy, you’d think schools would encourage kids to let loose, but it seems quite the opposite is happening. A pediatric occupational therapist is calling for more unstructured playtime and fewer restrictions on kids’ activities. When schools prioritize safety over freedom, they might be causing more harm than good.
In a compelling essay for The Washington Post, Linda Carter, the founder of Wild Adventures, a nature-based play program aimed at promoting creativity and independent outdoor activities, argues that the excessive structure surrounding recess is proving harmful to children’s development.
In 2015, The New York Times reported a 30% increase in New York City public schools employing occupational therapy to help students focus and learn more effectively. Carter believes this uptick is partly because kids are not getting enough opportunities to expend their energy on their own terms.
As she aptly points out, “The very movements we restrict to keep children ‘safe’ are the same exercises I’ve utilized as an occupational therapist to address the increasingly risky behaviors observed by experienced teachers across the nation.” She backs her claims with anecdotes from kids themselves.
One 10-year-old remarked, “We have monkey bars, but we aren’t allowed to go upside down on them. They think we’re going to hurt ourselves. I feel old enough to try going upside down.” Other kids echoed similar frustrations about restrictions that, while well-intentioned, might be pushing them to find release in less desirable ways—often during class.
It appears that schools are catching the same “helicopteritis” that many parents grapple with. They are over-scheduling, over-structuring, and overprotecting. While ensuring kids are safe is a commendable aim, this excessive oversight can be counterproductive.
Kids require physical activity. Recess exists for a reason—children need an outlet for their energy if teachers want them to pay attention in class. Any parent with a toddler or preschooler knows that the more energy kids burn during the day, the easier bedtime becomes.
Carter raises even more concerning issues. Not only do kids lack sufficient playtime, but when they do have it, it’s heavily monitored, hindering its effectiveness. This trend could lead to more clumsiness as children grow, with increased falls noted as a result of underdeveloped vestibular systems that help with balance.
It’s tempting to keep kids occupied with screens, but according to Carter, children need at least three hours of active free play every day. It’s up to us and our schools to fulfill this essential need.
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In summary, let’s prioritize outdoor play for our kids. They need it for their physical and emotional well-being, and it’s our responsibility to make it happen.