Technology, living in high-rise buildings, and parents' working conditions have changed the way children play. Now, we see children sitting at computers or with tablets in their hands, playing for hours at home. Experts state that street games develop children's muscular system and provide an outlet for accumulated energy in the body. Child Development Specialist Elif Konar Özkan said, 'The lack of street games is one of the main problems of children in big cities and urban areas...'
Üsküdar University Child Development Department Lecturer Elif Konar Özkan evaluated the contributions of street games to children's development.
Özkan stated that street games consist of structured games, also known as traditional games, and explained that unstructured, i.e., free games or semi-structured games, can also be played outdoors and in open areas.
Street Games Release Accumulated Energy in Children's Bodies
Özkan stated that when street games are mentioned in literature, traditional games usually come to mind, “Street games such as hide-and-seek, blind man's buff, stop/tag, five stones, nine stones, handkerchief drop, pit, nail, tip-cat, I sell oil, hopscotch, jump rope, tug-of-war, and tag are named this way because they are mostly played in the gardens of houses and apartments, in empty and wide open spaces, in playgrounds, and in streets where vehicles are not allowed.”
Özkan noted that street games are thought to contribute to children's physical development primarily through their active aspect, and said, “Their contributions to physical development are significant because they develop children's muscular system, provide an outlet for accumulated energy in the body, support large muscle and small muscle or, in other words, gross motor and fine motor activities, and strengthen balance and coordination skills.”
Street Games Also Boost Self-Confidence
Özkan, also addressing the effects of street games on children's social skills, continued as follows:
“Of course, street games do not only contribute to physical development; their positive effects on areas such as social skill development, mental development, problem-solving abilities, emotional development, risk-taking, and self-confidence development are countless.
With their ability to facilitate a child's understanding of the world and adaptation to it, they support social, emotional, and mental development.
Through these games, children learn to distinguish, behave effectively, explore objects in their environment and nature, and research. During the structured play phase, children learn cooperation and competition, take risks, gain experiences, and, along with the feeling of achievement, strengthen their self-confidence.”
Children Learn to Obey Rules by Playing Outdoors
Özkan also noted that through structured games, children experience that some rules can be collectively flexible, while others must be accepted and followed without modification, stating, “Changing some rules or not following a rule breaks the game. Sometimes, to play the desired game in a given environment, different thinking and problem-solving skills need to come into play regarding issues such as using the space, creating materials, choosing the 'it' person, and distributing game tasks, and children gain experience in this regard.” she said.
Games Have a Healing Power
Özkan stated that structured games usually have winning and losing sides, “Therefore, children both rejoice and derive pleasure from the feeling of accomplishment, and also experience sadness, sorrow, and the excitement of trying again with the feeling of losing. Especially in group games, language development is supported along with socio-emotional development. Such as counting-out rhymes and game chants, game creation, negotiation, problem-solving, and collective decision-making…” she said.
Özkan stated that play also has a healing power and therapeutic effect, and said, “The positive effect of play in preventive guidance, protective health, and resolving psychological problems cannot be denied.”
Insufficient Play Areas for Children in Streets
Although the widespread use of technology and digital games undoubtedly has a negative impact, Özkan explained that the main reason for the decreased interest in street games and children's inability to play them anymore is the unsuitability of streets for play and the lack of alternative areas that can replace them, stating the following:
“At this point, increasing parks and gardens, play areas, and providing child-friendly environments will rekindle children's interest in street games. Because we observe that children actively participate when street games are played in schoolyards or workshops, in suitable areas. We know that street games continue to be played in small or rural towns, districts, and villages. In this context, the lack of street games is actually one of the main problems for children in big cities and urban areas. As a result, they are deprived of the contributions of street games to all areas of child development.”
Child-Friendly Environments Must Be Created
Özkan noted that the Ministry of National Education supports the use of schoolyards and sports halls for children to play, but stated that this is not enough, and emphasized that influential individuals and institutions who care about and consider child development should take responsibility and act on this issue, stating, “The right to play, which is one of the most fundamental rights of a child, must be given back to children by creating child-friendly environments.” she said.
Özkan stated that if homes or apartments lack outdoor areas where children can play, families should prefer playgrounds, groves, forested areas, and public gardens, and said that water, soil, and air factors are important for human nature and development.