自由游戏为什么重要以及如何鼓励它
自由游戏为什么重要以及如何鼓励它
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.
和许多同龄的父母一样，我在没有大人干涉的情况下，自由地骑着自行车，参加皮卡运动，和朋友们解决争端。但如今，许多孩子的生活都被课外活动或正式的体育活动安排得井井有条，他们几乎没有机会自由玩耍，也没有机会独自处理社交场合。即使他们有时间，很多人也不被允许在他们的社区里漫游寻找玩伴。
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.
有组织的课程和运动不算数。只有当孩子们自己做决定并经历试验和错误时，才会产生最好的学习效果。即使是像在街区里溜达，看看朋友是否会玩这样简单的事情，也能教会你很多成年后必备的技能，包括提前计划、交谈技巧、在与成年人交谈时的社交礼仪，如果朋友不在身边，还可以调节情绪，比如失望或嫉妒。
Creating a 'playborhood'
创建一个“玩耍社区”
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.
那么如何促进自由游戏呢?为他人带路，或者和邻居们一起讨论如何创造一个适合孩子玩耍的环境。下面是一些需要考虑的关键因素。
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.
从邻居开始。成功的自由玩耍依赖于关心和参与的家庭，要么一起努力创造一个共享的空间，要么来到你自己的空间。更大规模的社区合并的例子包括波特兰、俄勒冈州的Share-it-Square(65美元起)和南布朗克斯的Lyman Place。这就像敲门介绍自己一样简单。
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.
确保它是可见的。自然促进自由玩耍的部分是我所说的“儿童弥撒”。“当周围没有其他人的时候，谁愿意出去?”在前面玩，每个人都可以看到对方把其他人带到户外。，如果你没有前院，一大片人行道、车道或庭院都可以。
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.
让所有年龄的人都觉得有趣。你的院子前后可以有设计元素，包括沙箱、蹦床、篮球球门、水景和供来访父母使用的座位。然而，你并不需要很多钱来开始。通过在庭院甩卖或在Craigslist网站上购买设备来降低成本，注重功能而不是美观。对于基于项目的乐趣，可以考虑“冒险操场”中低成本、有创意的部分，比如伯克利1979年建立的野外操场，或者北威尔士的垃圾场操场。孩子们喜欢建筑、打铁和锯木头。
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.
减少正式活动。孩子们需要不定时的自由玩耍时间。避免安排每天下午的时间，限制看电视的时间，让户外活动更适合。为了了解你的邻居，可以的时候步行或骑自行车，和邻居打招呼。什么时候开始都不算晚，但是在孩子还小的时候就开始可以让他们了解他们的成年邻居，让他们感到安全和舒适。
