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