Friday
Nov302012

Healthy Risks

Chris Whitcomb, writing for Cannon Design Blog, on the dumbing down of playground equipment:

There’s no denying the injury risks that come with climbing walls, running across tires and jumping from swings, but when one considers the potential for childhood obesity and a generation of uninspired children – it’s not easy to determine it’s worth the risk. The world rewards those who take healthy risks, strive for creativity and stay active – our playgrounds should do the same.

I agree. Playground equipment shouldn’t be about eliminating risk but should be focused on allowing, even encouraging, healthy risks. Learning how to navigate a world filled with risks and dangers is part of growing up. Giving our kids a sanitized, completely safe environment doesn’t allow them to stretch and grow and it certainly isn’t interesting enough to hold their attention. Make it exciting and fun. If there are some scrapes and bruises along the way, that’s part of growing up.

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