Let Them Play

Category: Newspaper article

I submitted this story which appeared in 'The Ottawa Citizen' Tuesday Oct 24 2006 _____________________________________________________

U.S. cities banning the game of tag on school property, parents being told their children cannot play on quiet dead-end streets. The mind boggles.

One of the delights of my day is to see the neighbourhood children dangling from tree branches, doing pirouettes and yes even playing hockey or soccer on our little crescent.

Ever since a large immigrant family has moved across the street, and their children have galvanized the children from other families into playing with them, life in my neighbourhood has improved by 100%.

What have we become when we deny children basic human development in the name of protecting them. I would argue strongly that unstructured play is very important to a child’s development. I would also argue that lawyers and the fear of law-suits, not children’s safety, is the real concern here. The last time I checked there were already laws in place that say running down people on the streets is illegal.

To be sure I have seen motorists barrel down the street, seemingly secure in the knowledge that the Bylaw is solidly behind them. These people are the problem, not the children.

If you see children playing on the street use some sense, slow down, be happy for them.