You all must have noticed one thing: children today are often seen playing alone. It’s not that they don’t want to play with others, but perhaps they don’t have friends to play with. If you observe closely, you’ll notice these children mostly with siblings or a few close friends. A major reason for this is the changing trends in marriage. Many people marry very late or very early, creating age gaps that affect children’s social circles. Unemployment and financial instability are causing youth to delay marriage, and even when they do marry, gaps in family planning lead to fewer peers for their children. However, this isn’t the only reason. Growing intolerance, overprotectiveness of parents, and excessive focus on children’s needs also contribute. Parents today strictly advise their kids to avoid playing with certain children or to stay indoors. Another significant factor is mobile phones and gadgets. Children now learn to watch and navigate YouTube at a very young age, which keeps them indoors. My research also shows that modern cartoons emphasize indoor activities, inspiring kids to mimic them at home instead of going outside. These trends are worsening gradually, pushing children toward complete reliance on gadgets.
Solutions to Promote Outdoor Activities:
Parents’ Role: Teach children outdoor games and encourage daily play. Physically and mentally, outdoor activities boost development. Limit screen time and prioritize physical games. Financially stable parents should enroll kids in sports classes early to nurture interest.
Community Efforts: Neighborhoods should form committees to facilitate playtime and social interaction for children.
Schools and Government: Schools must make sports compulsory. Strict rules, like barring students from board exams if they avoid sports, could help. Governments should mandate sports participation for eligibility in government jobs.
Parent-Child Interaction: Parents should discuss their child’s daily play experiences—who won, who lost, and their efforts. Encourage persistence: “Keep playing; you’ll improve!”
Social Exposure: Take kids to parks or outdoor spaces to connect with nature and the world. Ask whom they met daily and ensure they interact with positive influences.
By prioritizing outdoor play, we can ensure healthier physical, social, and mental growth for children.
Abhishek Sonkar
Meet Abhishek Sonkar, [B.com, B.Ed., M.Ed.], a child development specialist with years of experience in the field. He has written numerous blog posts on child development and parenting.
