How to make our children play safe in the park
Fortunately, most of the injuries in the park They are easily resolved with a band-aid, a hug or a kiss. However, more serious injuries can occur, including concussion or concussion. Although over the years the parks have become more secure thanks to the installation of soft surfaces underneath play areas, the injury rate continues to rise.
To play outdoors it is an important part of child development. While playing, children reinforce their physical development by practicing their balance, flexibility, strength, speed and endurance. In addition, being outdoors, away from screens and digital equipment, children learn other forms of entertainment.
Likewise, the socialization inherent in playing in the playground that occurs while children use the same space and the same games encourages healthy habits related to sharing, with the concept of equity and cooperation.
Safety for children in playgrounds
We can help reduce injury risk by following some simple guidelines when taking our children to the playground:
1. Reading the park posters to know if the games are appropriate for the child's age.
2. Checking that the park has a soft material under the play areas, such as wood chips, sand or rubber.
3. Inspecting the facilities to ensure that they are in good working order and have adequate handrails to prevent falls.
Ideas for a safe game in the park
In addition, parents can reduce the risk of accident by teaching our children a few healthy habits that will help their development. How to do it?
1. Teaching children to identify and react correctly to the feeling of fear. Fear is a natural instinct of self-preservation that humans have to avoid danger. Some fears have to be overcome, while other fears are intended to avoid accidents. Parents can teach children to identify their fear and evaluate it to help them make the right decision.
2. Taking the children to an appropriate park for their age and their possibilities. Avoid taking children to parks with games too advanced for them.o Seeing other children in a game that is too advanced for their natural ability can lead some children to participate in activities for which their bodies and minds are not yet ready , which can result in injuries.
3. Watching the group of children who play together and intervene if any of them is encouraging unsafe practices. We can redirect children to safer activities.
4. Not helping children access equipment or games they can not handle in an independent way. Putting children in situations where they can not get out on their own increases the risk of injury. Many of us, with the best of intentions, help their children climb higher, swing faster, or access equipment. those that the child could not reach independently. This creates situations in which children are not safe and, if we are not attentive 100% of the time, we may find ourselves with injuries or falls.
It should be noted that it is impossible to completely avoid the risk of childhood accidents due to concussion or concussion. If children fall from a high altitude or are thrown out of the swings or merry-go-rounds while playing, do not hesitate to take them to the doctor for examination.
However, the time in the park encourages outdoor play that is beneficial for the physical and mental well-being and for the social development of children. As parents, we can promote these benefits by promoting physical play several times a week while reducing the risk of injury by following these simple guidelines.
Deanna Marie Mason. Expert in education and family health. Author of the blog Dr. Deanna Marie Mason. Proactive fatherhood Professional support for the modern family. He has just launched his second book: "How to educate teenagers with values".
