The Canadian Paediatric Society says a little risk can be good for kidsB次元官网网址� physical and mental well-being.
The national organization issued new recommendations Thursday that encourage kids to engage in unstructured outdoor play B次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址渞isky playB次元官网网址� in particular.
It said that type of play varies by child, but is generally defined as B次元官网网址渢hrilling and exciting free play that involves uncertain outcomes and the possibility of physical injury.B次元官网网址�
Examples include play at height or speed, supervised activities involving tools such as hammers, ropes and knives B次元官网网址� such as whittling or building B次元官网网址� and the chance of getting lost.
While it can be scary for parents to allow risk into their kidsB次元官网网址� lives, the pediatric group said this sort of play is crucial for childrenB次元官网网址檚 mental, social and physical development.
But the organization said that doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean ignoring safety regulations. Kids shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be left unsupervised in hazardous areas, nor should they be pushed outside their comfort levels.
ItB次元官网网址檚 up to the grown-ups to be aware of hazards, and intervene if the potential harm is more serious than the child is able to recognize and manage.
Dr. Emilie Beaulieu, who authored the societyB次元官网网址檚 guidance document, said risky play has been studied for at least 20 years as having multiple benefits including increased physical activity.
B次元官网网址淐hildren are more active, there are lower rates of obesity and there are all these other indicators around cardiovascular health,B次元官网网址� she said in an interview from Quebec City, where she is a pediatrician.
B次元官网网址淲e also see that they are less stressed and have better relationships with their peers,B次元官网网址� said Beaulieu, adding research also suggests kids have fewer conflicts and higher self-esteem when theyB次元官网网址檙e allowed more riskier play during recess.
B次元官网网址淚 think where we are now is trying to find the right balance between letting kids play freely and incorporating risk in their play while making sure that theyB次元官网网址檙e still safe and avoiding hazards.B次元官网网址�
Monkey bars have resulted in plenty of injuries, and trampolines may be dangerous if children do not land on their feet so parents should consider potential hazards, Beaulieu said.
But telling kids to B次元官网网址済o play outsideB次元官网网址� would help reduce screen time as they benefit from being out in nature, said Beaulieu, who has two young children.
B次元官网网址淲e deal with risky play every day,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 learned from society and my parents. My first thought is, B次元官网网址淏e careful!B次元官网网址�
Instead, itB次元官网网址檚 best for parents to manage any risks by guiding children and asking them questions, including whether a structure is safe enough to support their weight, she said.
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