Submitted by crinadmin on
A survey has found that children in London say they play indoors more than outdoors, despite most of them preferring to play outside. The national survey, published for Playday 2006, found that only 48 per cent of 7-14 year olds in London said they played mostly outdoors - compared to 65 per cent on average around the UK - despite 86 per cent of children in London saying they prefer to play outdoors.
The survey showed that it is in London where the percentage of children who said that they play outdoors most often is the lowest in the country. Unsurprisingly then, three quarters (75 per cent) of children surveyed in the capital said they would like to play outside more often. The survey also found that less than 1 in 5 children in London and throughout the country would prefer to play computer games than play outside.
When playing outdoors in London, an overwhelming 86 per cent of children said they would prefer to play in natural rather than non-natural environments.
Dr Ute Navidi, director of London Play, said: “This research has a serious and urgent message for everyone responsible for London’s outdoor spaces. Play is the main way in which children encounter and explore their immediate surroundings, connect with nature, learn to assess risk, and develop healthy, active lifestyles. We must create opportunities for children to play and explore freely in the public realm. This means providing them both with experiences in large natural habitats as well as with access to everyday nature, right on their doorstep.
“More often than not, children and young people playing outdoors are seen as a nuisance. Children have a right to be visible in the capital’s outdoor spaces, which belong to everyone. Adults – including parents – should encourage children to play out and inspire them with the magic of natural spaces. We owe it to the well-being of our youngest citizens that we invest in the creation, maintenance and sustainability of environmental play provision in the capital.”