Table 1 Changes in the nature of play
Ecological level | Theme | Grandparents’ era | Parents’ era | Children’s era |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Child level | Less Imagination, More Technology | Kids’ games and using imagination | Some kids’ games and imagination, some technology | Few kids’ games, less imagination, more technology |
Parent level | Safety Concerns | Few safety concerns | Some safety concerns | Extensive safety concerns |
Surveillance | Few parental restrictions on play | Some parental restrictions on play with little monitoring | Extensive parental restrictions on play and compulsory monitoring | |
Community level | Other Children to Play With | Few friends, but good friends | More friends living closer | Few friends to play with |
Extended family important | Extended family still important | Few extended family members close | ||
Purposeful Physical Activity | Walking/riding to meet friends out of necessity | Sometimes out of necessity, sometimes for recreation | Rare. Not out of necessity | |
Play Spaces and Organized Activities | Few formal play spaces, no organized activities | More play spaces, some organized activities | Lots of play spaces and facilities, lots of organized activities | |
Social changes | Good Parenting Ideal | Virtually no parental involvement in play | Some parental involvement in play | Parental involvement in play expected and needed, but parents too busy working. |