Risky play and skinned knees are key to healthy child development

I enjoyed this article by Andrea Gordon in the Toronto Star.  Safety for our children is, of course, very important—but there are also risks in taking safety too far.  Here is a snippet from the article:

“Here’s what kids at play have always liked to do: Race, climb, wrestle, hang, throw, balance, fence with sticks, jump from heights and gravitate toward sharp objects. Ideally, while escaping the watchful eye of grown-ups.

Here’s what today’s kids hear when they’re even flirting with such pursuits: Slow down, get down, put that down. No throwing, no sticks allowed, don’t jump from there. Don’t touch, that’s too dangerous, be careful. And for goodness sake, don’t go anywhere without an adult.

In the last generation, adults have been consumed with protecting kids against all odds. But now, some child injury prevention experts are warning too much bubble wrap may be thwarting healthy development.”

Read the full article HERE.  And let us know what you think!