Reply to Lack of independent play is creating mental health crisis among kids today -- and overprotective parenting is to blame

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As though aftercare isn't a Lord of the Flies free for all...[/quote]

Yeah, I'm trying to understand why folks think aftercare or summer day camp is part of this particular problem.  Both after care and traditional day camps (not talking about academic or specialty camps) are A LOT of unstructured play and a lot of it is outside and active.  At my DD's camp last year she had a big free swim every afternoon (no different than going to the pool with friends) and overall I'd say a good 60% of the day was unstructured hanging out with peers -- jumping on trampolines, swinging in hammocks, making friendship bracelets and chatting, stuff like that... Certainly no screens! My kindergarten niece looooooves after care because it's truly just a big playdate.  These things are not the problem.

I think a child does suffer for being truly over-scheduled with STRUCTURED  activities, so they don't have time for playing with friends (whether its running around with neighborhood kids, playdates, aftercare, at day camp, etc.).  You kid doesn't have to free roam though to have unstructured play with peers.  And a balance with some structured activities is ok too.    [/quote]

But those aftercare and summer camp situations are always supervised by an adult. It is not the same as a kid having hours every day after school when they are completely in charge of what they do, when and where.

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