自由游戲為什么重要以及如何鼓勵它

自由游戲為什么重要以及如何鼓勵它

Like many parents of a certain age, I grew up riding my bike freely, playing pickup sports and settling disputes with my friends without adult intervention. But these days, many kids’ lives are so structured with extracurricular activities or formal sports, they have little opportunity for free play and handling social situations on their own. Even if they do have time, many aren’t allowed to roam their neighborhoods in search of playmates.

和許多同齡的父母一樣，我在沒有大人干涉的情況下，自由地騎著自行車，參加皮卡運動，和朋友們解決爭端。但如今，許多孩子的生活都被課外活動或正式的體育活動安排得井井有條，他們幾乎沒有機會自由玩耍，也沒有機會獨自處理社交場合。即使他們有時間，很多人也不被允許在他們的社區(qū)里漫游尋找玩伴。

Studies show independent play is essential for children’s development because it promotes imagination, creativity, cognitive and emotional development. Freebird Photos/Shutterstock

Structured lessons and sports don’t count. It’s when kids make their own decisions and experience trial and error that the best learning occurs. Even something as simple as wandering down the block to find out if a friend can play teaches a host of skills necessary for adulthood, including planning ahead, conversational skills, social graces when talking to an adult and regulating emotions such as disappointment or jealousy if the friend isn’t available.

有組織的課程和運動不算數(shù)。只有當孩子們自己做決定并經(jīng)歷試驗和錯誤時，才會產(chǎn)生最好的學習效果。即使是像在街區(qū)里溜達，看看朋友是否會玩這樣簡單的事情，也能教會你很多成年后必備的技能，包括提前計劃、交談技巧、在與成年人交談時的社交禮儀，如果朋友不在身邊，還可以調(diào)節(jié)情緒，比如失望或嫉妒。

Creating a 'playborhood'

創(chuàng)建一個“玩耍社區(qū)”

Playing out where everyone can see each other helps inspire other kids to play outdoors, too. Rawpixel/Shutterstock

So how do you promote free play? Lead the way or brainstorm with neighbors for ideas on creating a kid-friendly playborhood environment. Here are a few key components to consider.

那么如何促進自由游戲呢?為他人帶路，或者和鄰居們一起討論如何創(chuàng)造一個適合孩子玩耍的環(huán)境。下面是一些需要考慮的關(guān)鍵因素。

Start with the neighbors. Successful free play depends on caring, involved families, either working together to create a shared space or coming to yours. Examples of larger-scale communities coming together include Portland, Oregon’s Share-it-Square (started for $65) and South Bronx’s Lyman Place. It’s as simple as knocking on doors and introducing yourself.

從鄰居開始。成功的自由玩耍依賴于關(guān)心和參與的家庭，要么一起努力創(chuàng)造一個共享的空間，要么來到你自己的空間。更大規(guī)模的社區(qū)合并的例子包括波特蘭、俄勒岡州的Share-it-Square(65美元起)和南布朗克斯的Lyman Place。這就像敲門介紹自己一樣簡單。

Ensure it’s visible. Part of what naturally promotes free play is what I call “kidical mass.” Who wants to go out when no one else is around? Playing out front where everyone can see each other brings others outdoors. If you don’t have a front yard, a big patch of sidewalk, a driveway or a courtyard will do fine.

確保它是可見的。自然促進自由玩耍的部分是我所說的“兒童彌撒”。“當周圍沒有其他人的時候，誰愿意出去?”在前面玩，每個人都可以看到對方把其他人帶到戶外。，如果你沒有前院，一大片人行道、車道或庭院都可以。

Make it fun for all ages. Your yard can has elements in the back and front, including a sandbox, trampoline, basketball goal, water features and seating for visiting parents. However, you don’t need a lot of money to get started. Keep costs down by purchasing equipment at yard sales or on Craigslist with an eye toward function over aesthetics. For ideas on project-based fun, consider the low-cost, creative components of “adventure playgrounds,” such as Berkeley’s wild playground, founded in 1979, or this north Wales junkyard playground. Kids love building, hammering and sawing.

讓所有年齡的人都覺得有趣。你的院子前后可以有設(shè)計元素，包括沙箱、蹦床、籃球球門、水景和供來訪父母使用的座位。然而，你并不需要很多錢來開始。通過在庭院甩賣或在Craigslist網(wǎng)站上購買設(shè)備來降低成本，注重功能而不是美觀。對于基于項目的樂趣，可以考慮“冒險操場”中低成本、有創(chuàng)意的部分，比如伯克利1979年建立的野外操場，或者北威爾士的垃圾場操場。孩子們喜歡建筑、打鐵和鋸木頭。

Scale back on formal activities. Kids need unscheduled time for free play. Avoid scheduling every afternoon, and limit screen time so outdoor play fits in. To get to know your neighbors, walk and bike when you can and greet neighbors. It’s never too late to start, but beginning when kids are young allows them to get to know their adult neighbors and feel safe and comfortable.

減少正式活動。孩子們需要不定時的自由玩耍時間。避免安排每天下午的時間，限制看電視的時間，讓戶外活動更適合。為了了解你的鄰居，可以的時候步行或騎自行車，和鄰居打招呼。什么時候開始都不算晚，但是在孩子還小的時候就開始可以讓他們了解他們的成年鄰居，讓他們感到安全和舒適。