Research: ‘Safe’ Playgrounds May Do Psychological Harm
The New York Times has published an analysis of a body of research on playground construction designed to be “safe” and minimize the risk of injury. The changes include replacing asphalt surfaces with rubber or wood chips, lowering overall play structure heights, and removing see-saws and other equipment that could hurt ankles or cause other injuries.
Researchers have found that while the changes prevent some injuries, they also hold back a key function of playgrounds–to allow children to encounter risks and overcome fears. Ironically, the researchers conclude, parental fears of injury actually end up having psychological consequences for the children, including overblown anxiety over minor injuries.
From the Times article:
“Children need to encounter risks and overcome fears on the playground,” said Ellen Sandseter, a professor of psychology at Queen Maud University in Norway. “I think monkey bars and tall slides are great. As playgrounds become more and more boring, these are some of the few features that still can give children thrilling experiences with heights and high speed.”
After observing children on playgrounds in Norway, England and Australia, Dr. Sandseter identified six categories of risky play: exploring heights, experiencing high speed, handling dangerous tools, being near dangerous elements (like water or fire), rough-and-tumble play (like wrestling), and wandering alone away from adult supervision. The most common is climbing heights.
“Climbing equipment needs to be high enough, or else it will be too boring in the long run,” Dr. Sandseter said. “Children approach thrills and risks in a progressive manner, and very few children would try to climb to the highest point for the first time they climb. The best thing is to let children encounter these challenges from an early age, and they will then progressively learn to master them through their play over the years.”
Sometimes, of course, their mastery fails, and falls are the common form of playground injury. But these rarely cause permanent damage, either physically or emotionally. While some psychologists — and many parents — have worried that a child who suffered a bad fall would develop a fear of heights, studies have shown the opposite pattern: A child who’s hurt in a fall before the age of 9 is less likely as a teenager to have a fear of heights.
Also, children who feel they are in “safe” spaces may relax their self-protective instincts and wind up engaging in more risky play than if they were on a traditional playground set:
“There is no clear evidence that playground safety measures have lowered the average risk on playgrounds,” said David Ball, a professor of risk management at Middlesex University in London. He noted that the risk of some injuries, like long fractures of the arm, actually increased after the introduction of softer surfaces on playgrounds in Britain and Australia.
“This sounds counterintuitive, but it shouldn’t, because it is a common phenomenon,” Dr. Ball said. “If children and parents believe they are in an environment which is safer than it actually is, they will take more risks. An argument against softer surfacing is that children think it is safe, but because they don’t understand its properties, they overrate its performance.”
(image via: http://www.myremoteradio.com)
Categories: Child Health, Safety | Tags: anxiety, play, playgrounds, risk, Safety
by Leslie
On July 19, 2011 at 9:22 am
Ha ha, this seems silly! Surely there are other areas of our children’s lives where they will take risks and overcome fears. Meeting new friends, first time in a school or church class, riding bikes, roller skating, swimming lessons, etc. I am fine with “safe” playgrounds….
by Carrie
On July 19, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Maybe we as parents shouldn’t immediately rush in when our kid trips, or maybe we should not freak out when they bump their head or climb too high, but calling a playground “too safe” is a little out there, in my opinion.
Is my safe house or safe driving hurting my child?
I work as an ambassador for Let’s Play, who through KaBOOM!, gives grants to communities so they can build fabulous and safe playgrounds for All children.
Anyone looking for additional information can check out their Facebook page: Facebook.com/LetsPlay and site: http://www.letsplay.com/
by alex
On July 19, 2011 at 3:59 pm
also, safe playgrounds allow parents to text, or simply yap away as their children bully or get bullied