In his book ‘The Anxious Generation’, Jonathan Haidt describes a ‘tidal wave of suffering’ among today’s youth. Haidt argues that there is a direct correlation between the moment we put smartphones into the hands of our children and the onset of a mental health crisis in young people.
In a world ever-dominated by screens, the ideal of a magical childhood – with the freedom to explore, imagine, create, and dream – can seem increasingly difficult to achieve.
Unstructured play, outdoor education, and the opportunity to discover the world without constraints are vital in children’s formative years. But are we, as parents, allowing our children the space to truly experience and discover the world around them? Read on to find out how we as parents can give our children more real-world freedoms.
Cultivating a free-range childhood
There are many benefits associated with giving children more real-world freedoms. Children who are given the opportunity to play and explore tend to be more independent, confident, and adaptable than those exposed only to structured activities. Developing resilience, they are often better equipped to handle challenges, both inside and outside the classroom.
Children who spend more time outdoors have a stronger connection to the natural world, and are generally healthier, both physically and mentally. Fresh air, physical activity, and a sense of freedom are the perfect way to counteract a sedentary, screen-focused childhood.
Allowing children to have a proper childhood with the freedom to play and explore is integral to the ethos at Northbourne Park School in Deal, Kent.
Headteacher Mark Hammond says: “An education at Northbourne Park School fits the description of the antidote for the mental health crisis in young people. Our genuinely unique curriculum; our commitment to both participation and excellence in sport, performing and creative arts and the academics. Our gold standard outdoor education. This is a huge part of what creates the magic of Northbourne, and it has never been more important. We buck the trend. Northbourne delivers what children need most.”
Screen time and mental health
Many parents are burnt out, over-stretched, and juggling more than ever. A couple of hours of screen time allows parents to have a much-needed break, but it’s important to consider the long term effects overuse can have on children’s brains.
Studies show that whilst watching TV or engaging with a tablet, the blood flowing to our child’s frontal lobe decreases and their brain chemistry changes. This makes it difficult for them to think creatively, regulate their emotions, and manage stress. Whilst technology is an undeniably important part of family life and the future, limiting screen-time helps to promote better mental health, and frees up time for children to explore the world around them.
Online safeguarding is also a worry for parents. Mark Hammond comments: “The safeguards currently in place for children’s online lives are woefully inadequate. And this has happened at the same time that parenting and schooling has become increasingly risk averse in the real world. At Northbourne Park, we maintain a phone-free environment for our day pupils, and limit the boarders’ use to twice per week. Parents and pupils are hugely supportive of our policies, which ensure that children are not only safe, but also engage in real, meaningful experiences with each other. Screen time is limited to the minimum required to learn how to operate successfully in a digital world, without detracting from children’s other interests. This year, we have been working with SchoolsMobile to add further layers of safeguarding and protection given the lack of protection offered by the online industry.”
Allowing children to be bored
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we need to enrol our children in every activity going in order to provide a fulfilling and happy childhood. Social media can often breed helicopter parents, who feel pressured to over-schedule their children just to keep up.
This style of parenting is exhausting and is not always what children need. Whilst after school clubs, play dates, activities, and experiences are all important, allowing children the freedom to play independently (and be bored!) can spark their imaginations. By learning to tolerate boredom, children become more patient, resourceful, and creative.
The importance of unstructured play
Numerous studies have shown that the freedoms of unstructured play are crucial for children’s development. Unstructured play fosters creativity, social skills, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience. It’s through play that children learn to navigate social dynamics, develop a sense of independence, and connect with the natural world.
Unstructured play is a key part of the curriculum at Northbourne Park. Mark Hammond, says: “From the Early Years through to Year Eight, every day you will see pupils pull on their waterproofs and overalls and head into the woods to play. The children at Northbourne are allowed to use the beautiful woodlands to let their imagination run riot.
This open-ended, unstructured time adds real value to the children’s daily lives, well-being and social confidence, enhancing the excellent outcomes they achieve across their studies”
The role of outdoor education
Outdoor education is becoming more popular and Forest school, for example, offers children the chance to learn in a natural environment, away from the restrictions of the classroom.
However, outdoor education goes beyond taking lessons outside. It’s about giving children the freedom to explore, to take risks, and to make discoveries independently. From building dens, to searching for bugs, and learning to identify plants and animals, children’s outdoor play helps them develop a sense of wonder and respect for the world around them.
Pupils at Northbourne Park benefit from the school’s magical woodland setting and enchanting historic estate. The main ethos of the school’s outdoor education programme is that every child is able to learn, explore and experience the great outdoors. Headteacher Mark Hammond says: “Even at 13 years old, children will put on a boiler suit, charge into the woods and climb a tree. They work hard, achieve well and play, properly. In the real world. With each other. A real childhood endures at NPS.”
The positive impact on academic results
Allowing children real-world freedoms has a profound impact on academic results. The benefits of unstructured play are crucial for children’s development. It helps in fostering creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills that they can take back into the classroom.
Outdoor play has been found to increase concentration and reduce stress, boosting performance in academic tasks. By giving pupils the freedom to learn beyond traditional boundaries, they return to the classroom more motivated, creative, and ready to tackle challenges with confidence.
The positive impact that allowing children to have real-word freedoms has on academic results can really be seen at Northbourne Park. Mark Hammond, says: “Across the board, children at all ages achieve fantastic results. The number of children achieving their Early Learning Goals at the end of Reception, passing the Kent Test at 11 or indeed passing Common Entrance at 13 compare very favourably with local and national averages. Every year we see children excel, at the same time as being healthy and happy at school.”
Finding the balance between freedom and safety
As parents, we’re more aware of the dangers of the world than ever before. Remembering our own childhoods – where we were often afforded a bit too much freedom to play outside unsupervised until dark (or until our tummies rumbled!) – it’s understandable why we might want to protect our own children.
However, risk-taking is an important part of children’s development. Managed risks, such as climbing trees or exploring new environments help children to develop confidence and resilience. Educators can help parents find the balance between freedom and safety, by providing proper outdoor play equipment and an environment where children can explore under the watchful eye of trained teachers.
Northbourne is a small school, with only one class per year. This allows teachers to give pupils lots of support, allowing them to flourish. Pupils also get to mix with children from older year groups, which helps to grow their confidence.
Final thoughts
As parents, it’s our responsibility to ensure our children have the opportunity to experience a magical childhood. By replacing screen time with unstructured play and time in the great outdoors, and by giving children the freedom to explore and take measured risks, we can help nurture a generation of resilient, confident, and curious young people – ready to take on the world.
This is a sponsored post created in collaboration with Northbourne Park School, an independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 2 – 13 in Deal, Kent.
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