So many wonderful lessons are learned at the local park.
Children learn the art of sharing with unknown children and turning unknown children into friends for an afternoon and maybe longer. They learn peer conflict and resolutions, and peer pressure They also learn their physical boundaries and the human fact of getting hurt. The park is also a wonderful place for them to flex their imagination muscles along with every other muscle.
I have a few suggestion to help make the most of your park experience for everyone.
1- The park place for children to play and discover. Some parents feel they need to "help" their child along the way of discovering "how about we do the slide... Now let go swing... Let's go to the see-saw.... This... That... The other". Children have a very different sense of time. They could be happy to play on the see-saw for 30 minutes or two. Thy may want to do the same thing over and over again. Let them discover what they like to do in their time.
2- Children will also get hurt at the park. Even if you are right there next to them they could bump, scrap and even break some part of their body. We all have memories as a child hurting ourselves but we all lived. Please don't be a helicopter over your children. This will not keep them safer they will depend on you to help them do things and then not know how to do it by themselves later on and that is when they will get hurt. When you first start taking them to the park as young as 1.5 years give them some space and as they get more comfortable and confident let have more space. You will be amazed at what your child can do on their own.
If they do get hurt remember to remain calm, most tires come from thinking there is something really wrong with them when their parent flies at them screaming "oh my God are you okay?!?!?". Keep it calm and soft spoken " are you okay?"
3- keep an eye on them. Unfortunately the world isn't alway full of wonderful people. Their are people out there who may try to hurt or take your children. Keep an eye on your children and help others around you by keeping an eye on suspicious looking people. A helpful way to keep you child safe is to have them in a bold color or a hat that will stay on and stand out. Have a recent picture with you and take notes of those around you.
The park is wonderful. Let your children grow and discover their works of fun and you will be able to enjoy it with them.
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