Playing Out

[Annabel dixon]

I recently came across this project in Bristol;

http://playingout.net/

Residential roads are closed to traffic for a number of hours a week/ month to allow children to play out on the street

Here's a short film explaining the details

Though it might be an interesting idea for East Dulwich

[One Sweet World]

Finally got round to watching this. Love it - thanks for posting.

[redjam]

Great idea. Unfortunately I think our road would be tricky for it (too many other streets off it), but I'd love to hear of any other local residents taking up the idea. We went to a street party yesterday and it was a joy to see the kids running around freely together in the road (despite the weather!).

[clarebells]

Wow that is so very very awesome!!

Thanks for sending me the link One Sweet World.

Errrhem, Dear Southwark Council...

[Curmudgeon]

Gosh I find this the antithesis of playing out ... Organisers and stewards and road closures?

Let your children play out if your road is safe enough

Watch them until you are reassured they are old enough to be less supervised

Give them increasing independence

The more children who are allowed to do it the more children do it

[clarebells]

Hmmm yes I see you point Curmudgeon.

I personally am one for letting children go, many experts on childrens play say that there is no adult role in childrens play.

However, when the state of things is so bad (which it is) that many children are not getting out to play at all, then this is one solution that is working... as we can see from the short film.

At the end of the day, if they are playing (with or without the aid of adults) then the job is a good one.

[Saffron]

Yes, the perfect doesn't have to be the enemy of the good, does it? In a perfect world there would be plenty of safe space and time for children to run, play, and be themselves. We don't live in a perfect world, but there are still good options for children if we put our minds to finding solutions. The OP's link sounds like a pretty good solution to me.

[Curmudgeon]

IMO The more parents think they have to close the street and appoint stewards the less chance there is that more children are allowed to just play out

Children play out when their friends do

Parents let their children play out when they see that other children are having fun and safe... The security of other people doing it helps parents get over the hump of "danger, danger"...

I think that scheme is well meant but a dangerous sign of madness taking over childhood

[Saffron]

Oh yes, let's role back the clock b/c modern life is so awful. Bring back the Dickensian workhouses. Children were safe all shut up in those where they couldn't get out at all.

Modern childhood is in danger of descending into madness? Puleeeez.

[clarebells]

Perhaps the Playing Out scheme will make the parents that are participating feel like they can get over the danger hump, perhaps it will lead to outdoor play without closing the streets and having stewards.

I think that the play you are talking about Curmudgeon is more likely to happen with (after) the Playing Out scheme than without it for many families and children.

Besides increasing the levels of play for these children, I love the fact that Playing Out has brought the community together.

This scheme might not have ticked all the boxes for some of us on what play is or should be, but it really has a good list of pro's to sit next to a small list of con's... I feel.

[Curmudgeon]

Saffron Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Oh yes, let's role back the clock b/c modern life

> is so awful. Bring back the Dickensian

> workhouses. Children were safe all shut up in

> those where they couldn't get out at all.

>

> Modern childhood is in danger of descending into

> madness? Puleeeez.

I said nothing of the sort

[Curmudgeon]

clarebells Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Perhaps the Playing Out scheme will make the

> parents that are participating feel like they can

> get over the danger hump, perhaps it will lead to

> outdoor play without closing the streets and

> having stewards.

>

> I think that the play you are talking about

> Curmudgeon is more likely to happen with (after)

> the Playing Out scheme than without it for many

> families and children.

>

> Besides increasing the levels of play for these

> children, I love the fact that Playing Out has

> brought the community together.

>

> This scheme might not have ticked all the boxes

> for some of us on what play is or should be, but

> it really has a good list of pro's to sit next to

> a small list of con's... I feel.

Perhaps it would be a step towards giving children more freedom to be children.

Perhaps just letting your child play out front with neighbours' children with you watching would be enough

[bobbly]

Haven't watched the film yet as about to go out, but I have been thinking the very same thing myself for some time. I live in a cul de sac, its very quiet and there are lots of kids on my street, I wanted to propose the idea, but didn't want to come across as cheeky, so I am very pleased about this. Having read the responses I believe there are stewards there which may feed into the 'fear culture' that we seem to find ourselves in. I would be more than happy if kids from busier streets in the area could come to our cul de sac to play, extend it to a wider circle.

[reneet]

Havent watched the film yet. I would however love my child to play out. We live in a cul du sac which should make it easy, but while people drive at 20mph I am scared to let her out on her own. Have been discussing with some friends to petition so that the road is 10mph or even better 5mph but apparently since it is still apublic road this is not possible even though it is not a through road at all.

[prickle]

It was discussed on Woman's Hour this am.

[lucyA1308]

I haven't watched the film, but I am lucky enough to live on a street with about 14 children all between 0 and 7 years of age. They are usually out on the scooters and bikes after school, and there is always some adult supervision from one parent or another, but the parents all know to look out for every child.

The children soon learn about road safety. My 2 yr old knows what "car coming" means, and quickly gets out of the way.

It is a lovely environment, and reminiscent of the one in which I grew up, where there was a real comunity. I hope more places can be like this again.

[bobbly]

Watched the film and it was so reminiscent of when i was growing up. Lovely to see, when we were kids we just piled our bikes up at the end of the street to stop cars... love the idea of the kids taking control of their own environment, very difficult for people to go against.. worked for us!

[ClaireClaire]

Article about it in the Guardian today. I think it's cool - would love to make it happen on my street!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/23/reclaiming-the-streets-for-kids

[Moflo]

I live in fairly quiet street and when my kids were small probably upto teens they played and socialised in the street! Sadly I don't see it now, admittedly there aren't as many youngsters about aroubd here now but there are some and it is sad that parents don't feel that they can let them out to play! Children need to learn a bit of independence and to become a bit streetwise! My street isn't a run through so could easily be closed off for a play period! Mind you commuters who park here and get bus or train are a problem!!

[Otta]

Ulverscroft Road used to be our playing out street when we were kids. Skate Boards up and down the road. Happy Days!

[Houseoflego]

Really lovely idea. I remember playing out at my oldest boys age (7). He has never played out in our street which is full of kids. Really sad when you think about it. Agree that it would be tricky to organise in southwark!