Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I believe child-supervision at a playground is best achieved in being balanced. In your article, you state that "if parents permit their kids to climb the monkey bars, supervising can't mean standing off to the side and chatting with another mom." This mentality suggests constant hovering, which I don't think is beneficial.

Children will always get hurt at playgrounds. The nature of climbing, being off the ground, and speed will always be a breeding ground for injuries. Of course, the type of material the child falls onto could be more or less dangerous; falling onto concrete is much more dangerous than onto wood chips.

You do mention great tips for keeping kids safe, such as spotting them when hanging or swinging. You also talk about common sense about being careful that kids just don't have yet. I think this advice is only applicable to kids who ask for such help, or are too young to understand. Accidents happen. If the child is old enough and capable enough to understand the repercussions of play, hovering is counter-productive. Spotting is a great way to teach your child to need a crutch for any scary leap of faith they encounter. And the fall they take if they fail is just an opportunity to get back up and try again.

There is a lot of importance to supervising children at all times. However, in regards to playgrounds, neither of the ends of the spectrum seems to work. Perhaps more parents can adopt the "cloak of invisibility" as coined by the creator of adventure playgrounds, meaning to keep a watchful eye without interfering with make-believe or risk-taking. Play is a risk in itself. It should be watched, but not controlled.

Thanks,
Kaya

https://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/04/09/playground-safety-fun-without-the-injuries