Children and Playground
Two decades ago, children would never really worry about their exam results or about the marks scored in exams, as long as they know they are promoted to the next class. Vacations were very carefree and energetic. Children would wake up early during vacations, to start the day by cycling or walking together to the beach to make sand castles, and jumping with joy, when a big wave swept their feet and stride back. In the scorching heat of summer, not really worried of getting tanned, children would be playing somewhere in the building compound. Children across all age groups in the society would play together, games like Pandi (hopscotch), hide and seek, Kho Kho, and Goti(marbles) to name a few……which would vibrate the entire society throughout the day making every household feel, yes, the school vacations have begun!
The current generation of children attends a summer camp, doing some activities in an organized manner guided by a coach. After the summer camp, the children are busy hopping from one class to another like skating, soft skills, yoga, and the list go on. Just allowing children to express, discover and play by themselves is a thing of the past. Technology too has contributed to the change in the lives of children with iPad games, computer games, and cartoon channels being telecasted the whole day. Children can spend the whole day without friends, either playing computer games or watching TV, which has paved the way for a lot of behavioral and health issues among children. Children do not identify themselves with the playground.
“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning”
- Physical activity heals the body, mind, and soul.
- Children at play are highly energized with laughter and joy.
- The playground develops a child physically, socially, and emotionally.
When children across all age groups play together, there are bound to be tiffs and miffs, with aggression and domination. There is no interference from a parent, teacher, or coach. The children learn to put aside their differences and play happily is what brings in the true sportsman spirit. Sportsman spirit is about learning to accept defeat cheerfully, being appreciative of the winners, being fair, and disciplined, accepting the strengths and weaknesses of each person, and controlling our emotions by not suppressing it, but by communicating and expressing their feelings which helps in building an acceptance and understanding towards others.
These qualities naturally groom the character and personality of the children. These qualities today are read as a story and taught to children to imbibe as they grow, but the playground grooms a child naturally. It makes the child experience the courage to accept friends without being judgemental, let go of differences with understanding and be happy always.
What has changed from Then to Now
Technology has improved our lives in many ways.
The children THEN grew in an atmosphere, free of stress, and acquired the maturity and responsibility to take on the challenges of life, though the availability of resources was comparatively less.
NOW, children are practically provided everything to their comfort right from traveling to school, studies, unlimited toys for playing and television for entertainment, yet they are restless.
Children then grew up unaware of the term Stress, but today the children’s growing-up years have changed from stress-free to stressful.