Cease Overprotection: Excessive Coddling Hinders Children’s Physical Activity, Study Reveals

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald Sep 27, 05:54 pm

Photo: (Photo : Katherine Hanlon on Unsplash)

A new study from Australia has revealed that allowing elementary school children to take risks while playing can significantly increase the amount of exercise they engage in, shining a light on the drawbacks of overprotective parenting. The research, published in the Psychology of Sport and Exercise journal, aims to unravel the connection between parental attitudes towards risk and injury and their children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and daily adventurous play.

Survey Highlights Parental Risk Tolerance

To conduct the study, the researchers rolled out an online survey that was completed by 645 parents of children aged between 5 and 12 years old. The findings were insightful - a whopping 78% of parents displayed a low tolerance for risk in various play scenarios. In this group, the children's MVPA was noted to be lower, underscoring the impact of parental attitudes on children's activity levels. The target MVPA for children is established at 60 minutes per day, emphasizing the importance of daily physical activity.

The results of the study indicated that children of parents with more positive attitudes towards risk and injury engaged more in adventurous play. Alethea Jerebine, the lead study author from Coventry University, commented on the findings, stating, "It's understandable that parents want to protect their child. But the balance can tip too far." She highlighted that adventurous play could significantly improve a child's fitness, cognitive function, and mental well-being. Not to mention, it's also more enjoyable for the children.

The demographic details of the survey participants revealed that 81% were female, with the average age of the children being 8.6 years. The study uncovered that mothers generally expressed more concern about the potential risk for injury than fathers did. However, on average, parents felt positively about their children engaging with risk in physical activity. This underscores the need for a balanced approach to allow children the freedom to explore, learn, and develop.

The Need for Parental Support and Intervention

The study's authors emphasized the crucial role of parental support in providing opportunities for children to engage with risk in their play. They advocated for interventions that offer tangible ways for parents, especially mothers, to balance injury concerns with fostering their child's confidence, independence, resilience, and risk management skills. Such a balanced approach can potentially improve levels of MVPA and contribute to the holistic development of the child.

These findings align with a July report from Ireland, published in JAMA Network Open, which established that exercise could be a potent ally in battling chronic depression, particularly for people over 50 with conditions often associated with depression, such as diabetes and heart disease. The Australian study adds another layer to our understanding of the importance of physical activity from a young age and the role of parenting styles in influencing child behavior and health outcomes.

In conclusion, the study sheds light on the importance of letting children engage in risky play and the detrimental effects of helicopter parenting on their physical activity levels. It calls for a nuanced approach where parents, educators, and policymakers work together to ensure children have the opportunity to explore, take risks, and develop essential life skills, all while staying active and healthy. Balancing protection and independence is key to fostering a child's development and well-being.