In the depths of the English school summer holidays, we find ourselves at the tail end of all the organized activities. The adults who planned and arranged them are now exhausted, having spent their money, time off, and energy. In my surroundings, it seems that kids are mainly left to entertain themselves. The little ones confined to their gardens are getting creative with toys, dirt, or even recycling materials. Meanwhile, the older children are hanging out, sitting on walls, kicking a ball, or riding bikes along the pavements. As I walked to the shop, one of them asked if he could swerve around me, showcasing their ability to find enjoyment in simple interactions. I agreed, and he happily swerved around me multiple times. He even did it again when I was walking back 15 minutes later, which was quite invigorating. (I wonder if my consent to being swerved around is binding? This could become interesting.) There also seems to be some apple throwing going on, judging from the debris scattered around the street and my own unfortunate experience when I put out a bucket of apples to give away, only to wake up to apple carnage the next morning.
Despite the apple situation, I find this scenario quite pleasant. It brings back vague memories of my own childhood, which may not have been “jumpers for goalposts” but definitely involved a lot of aimless loitering. Living in this environment, I appreciate seeing kids engaged in carefree activities. However, it seems that they are the fortunate ones. According to a recent study on street play conducted by Play England, opportunities for outdoor play that were once a universal right for previous generations are now accessible to fewer and fewer children. The saddest part for me is the growing percentage of children who have been asked to stop engaging in ordinary activities like making noise, sitting on a neighbor’s wall, or spending time in groups. Who would dare to tell kids to stop chalking on the pavement? I suppose it depends on what they’re drawing, but wouldn’t it make you feel like a villain from a comic strip?
Interestingly, the ones most often telling kids to stop their activities are parents and caregivers who worry about what the neighbors might think. By all means, feel free to prevent your child from playing iPad games without headphones on the train – you have my tearful gratitude – but hanging out outside? Kids have every right to be there, perhaps more so than I do. I can only hope there is no overlap between these anxious parents and the ones who complain that kids spend too much time on screens, although I do have my suspicions.
How did we end up in this climate of anxiety and intolerance? Personally, I’m not a particularly playful person. I’m too rigid for physical play – give me a ball and I’ll patiently wait for an opportunity to put it down. I’m also too self-conscious for silliness or make-believe. When my sons were young, playing with me would often devolve into tidying up, categorizing animals, or sorting Lego by size and color. Board games make me aggressive, card games confuse me, and I’m not a fan of noise or rowdiness. I’m essentially a joyless soul, but even I recognize the value of play. Research has shown that play facilitates independence, confidence, sociability, and even better mental health. But above all, play is a gateway to joy.
I witness and hear the echoes of joy on the streets near me. Even my old, arthritic dog can feel it. Recently, my husband threw a tennis ball for him, and just as I was about to object, thinking it might be cruel, Oscar bounded off, bringing the ball back eagerly. He was more animated than I had seen him in months. We threw it again, and he repeated the joyful act. It didn’t last, but it was heartbreakingly lovely to witness that moment of puppy-like exuberance.
Childhood seems to have lost much of its fun nowadays. This was the conclusion of the Children’s Society’s report in 2022, which highlighted a decline in happiness levels. We may not have control over issues like Covid, climate anxiety, school refusal, or the impact of social media on self-image. However, we can all contribute to creating neighborhoods that are welcoming and supportive for children.
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