From Concrete Cracks to Childhood Blossoms: Why Play Should Be the First Thought When It Comes to Societal Improvements

As a therapeutic worker, I see the toll this lack of outdoor play takes on our children every day. Anxiety, depression, attention difficulties, and physical health complications – these are the weeds sprouting in the cracks of a policy landscape that prioritises traffic flow over contagiously roaring laughter. The news article highlighting the inquiry into children's wellbeing is a welcome step, but I hope that the focus is not on a single weed to be pulled, but seen as a symptom of a deeply embedded root system.

Our children are wired for adventure, for exploration, for the messy magic of play, uninterfered by the adults around. Yet, we (as a society) have confined them to screens and sanitised squares, replacing dirt clods with digital worlds and asphalt jungles. The consequences are noticeable. We see them in the glazed eyes glued to phones, the fidgeting limbs yearning for something more than structured activities. We see them in the rising rates of mental health diagnoses and the plummeting levels of physical fitness.

This isn't just about swings and slides. It's about reclaiming our streets as playgrounds, our neighbourhoods as communities. It's about dismantling the invisible fences of fear and suspicion that keep children cooped up. It's about recognising that a child lost in the rustle of leaves is finding themselves, building resilience, and learning the language of connection with the world around them.

The article mentions policies in other countries, cities like Barcelona and Freiburg (and a few more) that prioritise the needs of children. We need to borrow not just their blueprints, but also their mindset. Let's stop seeing children as problems to be contained and start seeing them as people with needs and rights, being that are truly inspirational. Let's empower them, not restrict them; let’s learn from them, not throw demands at them.

And it doesn't take grand plans or exorbitant budgets. Let's reclaim those "no ballgame" signs and turn them into murals of possibility. Let's green those concrete cracks with community gardens and pocket parks. Let's design housing with courtyards for spontaneous kickabouts, not just car parks. Let's prioritise safe walking and cycling routes, not just high-speed traffic corridors.

I remember that one trip to Berlin - My eldest, barely three then, looked around and asked, "Where are all the kids' parents?" That simple question struck a chord. The freedom, the trust, the sense of community – it was so different from our own reality. I realised how much has been lost here, this unspoken agreement to watch out for all children, not just our own.

Imagine a world where children can roam their neighbourhoods, taking calculated risks under the watchful eyes of caring communities. A world where they encounter different perspectives, navigate challenges, and learn accountability beyond the confines of their immediate family. It is possible - imagine children’s laughter surrounding us.

The "Spielstraßen" of Germany, those play streets where children are prioritised to play, are a testament to this possibility. Marked by a playful child-at-play sign, these streets become havens for freewheeling exploration, where cars become guests and children reclaim their rightful place as citizens.

This inquiry into children's wellbeing can be a turning point. Let's make sure it's not just about hearing evidence, but about taking action. Let's make playtime a policy priority, not an afterthought. Let's give our children the mud-stained knees and windblown hair they deserve, and watch their spirits bloom alongside the wildflowers pushing through the cracks.

Let's create a society where the question "Where are all the kids' parents?" is met not with concern, but with a knowing smile: "Out there, where they belong, weaving a tapestry of childhood under the watchful eyes of a community that cares."

My thoughts are about this article:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/jan/23/children-suffering-due-to-lack-of-outdoor-play-uk-charities-warn

Let me know what you think about the state of play at the moment. How can we make this society more inviting for our children. What can we do to be more wholesome?