YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
Playgrounds are important to children as places where they can exercise as much as they need and give their imagination and creativity free rein during play with others.
In an era in which the attraction of electronic media is growing and even parents set inappropriate examples so that children spend more time indoors while areas in which they can interact with nature become ever scarcer, the relevance of outdoor play areas near where children live is increasing. They can be easily accessed and do not cost anything to use.
But what is required to make a playground a suitable exercise venue? When are they dangerous? What role should parents play in this context? Should they just sit and watch their children?
Most playgrounds have standardised pieces of play equipment, such as climbing frames, slides, swings and see-saws and the various ways in which they can be used are necessarily limited. They cannot be spontaneously adapted to other purposes, as is the case with natural materials children might use while playing in the woods. Fortunately, however, most children are very inventive when it comes to using equipment in ways for which it was not originally intended so that they can include it in their games - a climbing frame can become a house or a slide might be transformed into a mountain that needs to be climbed.
This disregard for the 'rules' and repeatedly different use of equipment is very important as the learning process in children's brains is promoted when they are exposed to new experiences; when, for example, they find a new way of climbing to the top or try to stand on a see-saw. But many parents will intervene if they see this happening because they consider this to be potentially dangerous; they interrupt their children's play and castigate them for 'incorrect use' of the equipment. They are, of course, worried that their children could hurt themselves and want to protect them. I remember a father once telling us that he always felt uneasy whenever he visited the playground with his son and did not interfere immediately when something of this kind happened. And anyone who actually encourages their child to do what they like will probably attract some nasty looks.
But you yourself as a child must also have enjoyed exploring new horizons. Remember that feeling of butterflies in the stomach when faced with a dare and the sensation of elation when you triumphed?
In order to develop normally, children need to learn how to assess risk themselves. They must discover for themselves how to overcome situations that represent a challenge for them without the help of their parents. If they are merely exposed to an environment from which all potential risk has been removed, they may never learn how to correctly assess their own abilities and limitations. They will lack self-confidence and self-efficacy - the belief in their own ability to complete tasks and achieve goals. And even falling over is something you need to learn!
At some point, parents will inevitably no longer be to hand and the shortfall in terms of experience can make a situation very dangerous because overestimation of one's own abilities can have serious consequences - particularly during such activities as skiing, driving and swimming.
So, what should parents do when it comes to the safety of their children on playgrounds?
First of all, you need to take a good look at the playground. Are there splinters of glass on the ground? Does any of the equipment appear be defective or unstable when children are using it? Are there fragments, screws or sections that are loose? Is there adequate sand provided for fall impact attenuation? If any of these seems problematic, inform the operator so that the defects can be eliminated and use a different playground in the meantime.
As a rule, however, you can assume that the playground equipment conforms to the requirements of the relevant European standard and is subjected to regular safety inspections as it is a legal obligation of the operator to obtain the necessary certification. Unfortunately, there are playgrounds that escape the net, so it is a good idea to remain vigilant.
The standard specifies characteristics such as the maximum height of equipment (up to 3 metres) and the required fall impact attenuation material required as this is something children need to learn to cope with.
If your child is still very young (less than 3 years old), there will be certain pieces of playground equipment that they should not use because only older children are permitted on them and such equipment is often designed specifically for these. Particular caution should be exercised here; children aged just 1 or 2 years have body proportions that differ from those of older children and can fall through gaps in play equipment.
If you travel to the playground by bicycle, make sure your child removes their helmet before starting play because the strap can represent a risk of strangulation!
Also remove any chain around their neck, rings on fingers and drawstrings on clothing. A child is unable to take these concealed risks into account and protect themselves accordingly.
Now the fun can start and - although this may be difficult for you - you should try to leave them to it and provide assistance only if your child asks you for it. Try to intervene only if your child is in genuine danger: in other words, not simply whenever your child is at risk of falling. You need to allow them to fall - how will your child otherwise be able to realise they have overstretched their own abilities or done something wrong? Children learn from their mistakes and if they fall onto sand they will only suffer minor hurts.
The perceptible risks are there to challenge children and encourage them to find out what their own limitations are.
Statistics collated by the umbrella organisation of accident insurers in Germany (DGUV) show this to be the case. Children suffer bruising and sprains most often to their legs and arms. The younger the child, the more likely it is that their head will be injured. An analysis of accidents has made it clear that in most instances the cause is not equipment defects but the children's behaviour and that only in very rare cases is the outcome serious.
At Unfallkasse Berlin, we document all playground accidents that happen at kindergartens and schools in Berlin and this includes accidents that occur in public playgrounds, assuming that these happen while the children are under teacher supervision. Our statistics show that the number of accidents that take place in kindergartens has remained constant in recent years: 85 accidents were reported in 2008 and roughly 90 in 2012 (in each case per 1000 children). The slight increase is attributable to the facts that the proportion of children under the age of 3 years has increased and that, on average, children are now under supervision for longer.
While you should encourage your child to try out new things you should not try to force them against their own will. Every child learns at their own pace. Don't be a pushy parent! Your child will be happiest if you don't just sit and watch but actively join in and share your child's adventures. Your child will tell you exactly what they intend. Bear in mind that children do not deliberately expose themselves to danger; they are quite capable of assessing the risk and finding out what their own limits are. At the same time, this is a learning process that requires both time and space. It is advisable to offer your child sufficient opportunities from the beginning to get into their own stride. You will see their self-confidence and their ability to master challenges grow.
Have confidence in the abilities of your child - you'll find it pays!
Images: Thomas Müller
