Amanda Spielman, chief inspector of schools, did more than hit the nail on the head when she admitted that schools have got it wrong in their application of health and safety methodology.

She pointed out that the system is also culpable of destroying the natural process in which children develop social survival skills. Currently, they are denied the opportunity to take risks, fall, stand up and get back on the horse again. Ultimately, the inability to take risks follows them into adulthood.

Overprotection is Leaving Our Children Defenceless

Most adults remember their permanently scabbed knees with a smile and will recount the time they once fell off the childrens wooden climbing frames at the park. They will also remember how their muscles burnt as they tried again and again to reach the end of the monkey bars and the feeling of pride when they reached the very top of the frame. The risk was always worth the sense of achievement.

Spielman realises that we are doing today’s children a disservice by curbing their childhood freedom. They deserve to explore their surroundings and learn the lessons that come with facing playground challenges.

It has come to the point where our children are trapped inside the house bent over a device most of the time. When they get out, we put them in a high visibility jacket and terrify them out of any physical activity. Besides destroying any chance they might have of learning practical decision making skills, we are also damaging their natural ability to avoid obesity, according to The Guardian.

The Benefits of Free Play

The biggest gift you can give your child in a world filled with technology is the freedom to play outside. If you aren’t able to take a trip to the local playground you might want to invest in a climbing frame from places such as http://www.niclimbingframes.com/ for your own backyard.

Encourage them to explore their physical abilities without focussing on what might go wrong. Encourage a positive attitude and focus on the possible achievement. If the environment is safe, step back and don’t hover over them. Let them push their boundaries and give them the privacy to explore their own fears by learning to take calculated risks. Your children deserve your faith in them.