Playing in the park is one of the favorite activities of children, regardless of their age. There they socialize, learn the rules of the game, develop their skills, enhance their senses and encourage their creativity. In addition, it could be said that the park is one of the first “training areas” for children to gradually internalize the rules of coexistence.
We tell you what are the basic rules that they should learn in the park and how to teach them.
Respect for oneself and others
One of the first and main rules of the park is respect for oneself and others , although this does not mean that conflicts may arise at any given time.
However, it is very important that parents educate them to solve their problems autonomously and assertively, teaching them the importance of listening to others, respecting different points of view and seeking understanding.
It is normal and logical for children to get angry and argue , but they must understand that it is not correct to yell at other children, disrespect them or attack them. Similarly, they should not tolerate others attacking them, and that is why it is essential to teach them to set limits assertively and seek adult help when they need it.
Respect the recommended ages in the play areas
Some parks, especially if they are very large and have several recreational areas, have swings classified by age groups . This classification usually addresses a safety issue, so it is important to teach children to comply with these recommendations and use only those spaces appropriate to their age.
Don’t hog the same swing all the time
Other things that we must teach our son is that the park is a public place frequented by many other children who, like him/her, want to play and have a good time.
All children have the right to enjoy its facilities, so the same swing should not be monopolized for a long time; especially if you notice that there are other children waiting to get on.
Do not rush younger children in using the swings
Recreational areas or multi-activity swings can be used by several children at the same time, and all of them of different ages.
It is important to instill in our children the importance of respecting the rhythms of younger children and giving them the time they need to climb the stairs, climb, climb or jump.
How to use the slide safely
The urge to go up and down the slide over and over again could cause children to misuse this swing . Therefore, it is important that we teach them to use it safely in order to avoid accidents or mishaps.
In this sense, we must instill in them the importance of :
- Respect the child in front when going up the stairs. Give him space and time to climb at his own pace.
- Once up, make sure there are no children below before launching.
- Always jump seated and with the legs in the correct position. Do not jump with your legs crossed or head first.
- Do not try to go up the slide by the sliding part.
- Do not throw dirt, water or dirty the slide.
Do not take other children’s toys
It has happened to all of us at some point : you go to the park with a bag full of toys, but your child ends up playing with other children’s toys and not his own. It is totally normal for this to happen, since they are new toys for him that attract his attention and with which he wants to have fun.
In this regard, you should not steal other children’s toys or borrow them without permission. Also, you must learn to respect the decision in case other children do not want to leave their toys.
Share toys with other children (if they want)
Generosity is a fundamental value that we must instill in our children from an early age. Being generous encourages us to give without expecting anything in return, to offer our help to those who need it and to share what we have so that others can also enjoy it.
In this sense, it is good for children to learn to share their toys with others, because by doing so they will not only feel good about themselves by making others happy, but they will also realize that shared play is more fun.
Now, sharing is a habit that children must learn little by little , because internalizing it and putting it into practice requires time, maturity and example on our part. For this reason, forcing or forcing our son to share his things with other children is not the correct way to instill this value in him, in addition to having other negative consequences for the development of his self-esteem and personality.
Take care of swings and street furniture
In addition to learning to care for and value their own belongings, it is essential to instill in our children the importance of respecting things that belong to everyone and that we all enjoy when we go to the park , such as swings, benches, litter bins, fountains… .
Children must not kick or damage urban furniture , paint it, scratch it or carry out any act that contributes to a deterioration that is not the logical and normal one derived from the use and passage of time.
On the other hand, there are more and more parks that include swings adapted to children with special needs. We must teach them to identify those swings, talk to them about how valuable they are for other children and the importance of taking care of them together.
Respect the garden areas
Finally, closely related to the previous point, would be the importance of instilling in our children love and respect for nature and plants. In this sense, many parks have green spaces and landscaped areas that we must all protect .
The best way to do this is by not pulling up flowers or plants, not throwing paper on the ground, and not damaging the lawn or dirtying the environment. If the park has water sources, children should understand the importance of not wasting or wasting it, as it is an essential resource for life whose scarcity should concern us all.
