| The learning and development of | | | | play become for Australia's youngest |
| Australian kids is under threat because | | | | generation? Six in ten (62%) parents |
| they're not playing outdoors, engaging | | | | claim that as kids they spent more time |
| in constructive, creative play. | | | | playing outdoors getting dirty than |
| A nationwide Newspoll survey revealed | | | | their own children do now, including |
| that the average kid is spending at | | | | three in ten who spent more than twice |
| most, just 10 percent of their free time | | | | as much time outdoors getting dirty as |
| playing outdoors at home. Alarmingly one | | | | their children. |
| in 20 parents (5%) admits when their | | | | There is a clear need to rethink how |
| kids are at home they NEVER play | | | | children spend their free time and how |
| outdoors. Instead the majority of | | | | their lives are organised. Australian |
| Australian kids are spending far more | | | | parents are a well-intentioned, anxious, |
| time indoors, watching television, | | | | misinformed group. We all care greatly |
| playing computer games or playing with | | | | about our children's futures however in |
| toys. | | | | an effort to give them the best possible |
| Years of research shows that | | | | start in life we are run the danger of |
| constructive play is an essential part | | | | robbing of them of childhood that we are |
| of fostering inquisitive and strong | | | | trying to protect. |
| minds. Playing outdoors is therefore key | | | | For too long Australian parents have |
| to normal development and lack of | | | | been fed the message that they need to |
| exposure to this kind of experience may | | | | start their children on the educational |
| put some children at a disadvantage. | | | | track from an early age. So kids from as |
| Getting messy is how they learn, explore | | | | young as two are routinely shunted |
| and express their creativity. It also | | | | around from one organised activity to |
| helps them to stay healthy by | | | | another in an effort to maximise their |
| encouraging them to exercise and by | | | | development. |
| bolstering their immune system. | | | | Parents need to be encouraged to buck |
| Importantly it is through play that | | | | the 'clean kid' trend and be less |
| children learn to explore | | | | anxious about their kids getting messy. |
| The Newspoll study has revealed that the | | | | But where to start? |
| 'clean kid' syndrome is widespread. Two | | | | Let's start by insisting kids turn off |
| in five kids (40%) are permitted by | | | | the TV or computer and get outside more |
| their parents to get dirty no more than | | | | often. In a back to the future move |
| two or three times per week. | | | | let's introduce some old-fashioned |
| And, according to the research it's | | | | activities such as finger painting, |
| mainly because their parents are | | | | making mudpies, leaf stencilling and |
| concerned about their child's safety, | | | | generally mucking all in the name of |
| but also because they're worried about | | | | good clean fun. |
| cleaning up any mess their kids make. | | | | Importantly, parents need to value the |
| Almost all those parents polled (96%) | | | | simple interactions that they have with |
| said they wanted their kids to excel at | | | | children on a daily basis such as |
| school, in sport and socially, yet | | | | cleaning up a spill together or making a |
| they're reluctant to let them kids get | | | | bed. From my experience parents |
| their hands dirty. One in four (23%) | | | | underestimate the positive impact that |
| youngsters never get the chance to get | | | | these ordinary interactions have on |
| messed up indoors either by cooking or | | | | children. |
| doing craft activities. | | | | And it would be good for the well-being |
| It is clear also that Australian parents | | | | of both parents and kids if they spent |
| underestimate the benefits of free, | | | | some time getting down and dirty |
| unrestricted play for children as most | | | | together. My hunch is that most parents |
| would prefer their children to do | | | | do this anyway but they just don't value |
| homework than play outside. | | | | these messy experiences enough. |
| So, just how restrictive has outdoor | | | | |