Why you should STOP mollycoddling your children, according to scientists
Some parents hover anxiously over their children in the playground, afraid they will slip and fall.
But letting your kids take risks while playing could have a positive impact on the amount of exercise they get, a study suggests.
Researchers examined the link between parents’ attitudes toward risk and injury, and their child’s daily adventurous and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
This included activities such as climbing high on a frame, riding a bike or scooter very fast, and playing ‘rough and tumble’.
Some parents hover anxiously over their children in the playground, afraid they will slip and fall. But letting your kids take risks while playing could have a positive impact on the amount of exercise they get, a study suggests
A total of 645 parents completed an online survey to find out their attitudes towards risks and injuries, and the physical activity and playing behavior of their children aged between five and 12.
Analysis found that 78 percent of parents had a low risk tolerance, with mothers more concerned about injuries than fathers.
However, children whose parents were more tolerant of risky play were more likely to meet the guideline of more than 60 minutes of activity per day and were more likely to play adventurously.
They also found that while most parents were positive about the benefits of risky play, they were less willing to let their children participate when presented with a series of risky play scenarios.
Lead author Alethea Jerebine from Coventry University said: ‘It is understandable that parents want to protect their child.
‘But the balance can tip too far.
‘This research shows that parents with a relaxed attitude towards risky play have children who are more likely to get the recommended amount of daily exercise.
‘Adventure play can help improve a child’s fitness, cognitive functioning and mental well-being – and it’s more fun, too.’
Writing in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise, the team added: ‘Parents need support to provide their children with opportunities to take risks in their play, as this play has the potential to improve physical activity, among other known benefits .
‘Interventions should provide parents, and especially mothers, with tangible ways to balance injury concerns with the desire to promote their child’s self-confidence, independence, resilience and risk management skills.
‘Tackling these issues in other child environments, such as schools, could also be useful and strengthen positive societal attitudes towards adventure play.’