As parents of children growing up in urban India, haven’t we all not noticed that all the green spaces, parks and playgrounds are slowly disappearing. I stay in South Bangalore and nowhere in the vicinity do I find any public spaces or playgrounds for kids to play in. I have two young sons and live in a community which has villas. We have a very limited park with some swings etc. which has become extremely inadequate for a community of over 300 villas and so many children. The greedy builder has not left an inch of open space for the kids to play. In the evenings, we see older boys either on the main road or the bye-lanes desperately trying to find space to play their games of football, cricket, basketball and the likes.

Many residents ask them to disperse as they are noisy or there is a risk of their window panes breaking. I feel really sad for these kids. These are their teenage years and they are bursting with energy which they want to channelize by doing some physical activity. And, then we lament that our kids are becoming obese and spending so much time in front of computers and TVs. As parents, we have to encourage all children to play. Today, our kids may be younger but tomorrow they will need this same space we deny these other children.

Also, how many parents actively encourage their kids to go out and play. With numerous tuition, extended school timings, classes etc., the children are hard pressed for time and the first casualty is their play time. Unless we teach them and lead by example that it is indeed extremely important to go out in the evening at least for an hour and play; not only will we raise a sluggish generation inclining towards obesity but also saddled with health problems in the future.

So, urban folks like me — go out there and encourage your child to play, cycle, swim, anything that they enjoy and that keeps them on their toes physically. It will reap them rich dividends when they grow up and give them an all-rounded personality as well.

7 Thoughts on “Where do children play?

  1. I agree. I hate children having to go through IIT tuitions in 6-8 standards. I never went to a coaching class or after-hours tuition and don’t plan to send my kids to one either.

  2. isi liye kehte hai
    Mera Bharat mahan

    We talk about importance of playing but never provide place to play
    🙂

  3. @DivSu You are right; the burden that these young kids carry on their shoulders of their parents’ expectations is huge.

    @Bhupesh This builder-politician nexus is milking every inch of space to make money. Alas….

  4. There are certain exercises which one can do in limited space like yoga, skipping. Near every house there is a space where one can go for walk, jog or cycling.

  5. You are right Rachna but as Chandrika mentioned I don’t think kids at their teenage would like to go for yoga or long walks. They will definitely look for rigorous sports like football or cricket. Surprisingly I have not seen any child playing Hockey (our national sport). Anyways we all should encourage children to go out at least for an hour in a day for some game to be played in the ground or park.

  6. @Chandrika I feel there is hardly any place to do physical activity. Have you seen how risky it is to cycle near any traffic-heavy roads.

    @Manika Agree with your point. Hockey requires a lot of area to play and besides it is not promoted well, so obviously the kids have no interest, either.

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