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When I bring my children to the playground, I permit them to climb up the slide.
Some of you may be gasping in disbelief while others are shaking your heads, whispering about children lacking manners and how society is going downhill. Meanwhile, many of you might be wondering why this even matters since you, too, let your children scale the slide or simply don’t care.
Surprisingly, the topic of slide climbing has ignited quite the debate among parents. We’ve all heard the classic playground rule: ascend the stairs and descend the slide. Based on reactions to a recent article about overprotective parenting, most parents seem to fall into one of two camps: the strict up-the-stairs-down-the-slide group or the laid-back climb-wherever-you-want crowd.
Chances are, you’ve already chosen a side, whether you realize it or not. And woe betide you if you encounter someone with a different view on slide etiquette.
The staunch up-the-stairs-down-the-slide advocates tend to passionately oppose slide climbers. One parent claimed that children climbing up the slide bully others, making them too timid to slide down. Another declared that if parents don’t enforce the rules, she’s more than happy to correct other people’s kids. “Ladders are for climbing,” asserted one commenter, stressing that it’s about teaching children societal interaction and basic parenting principles. Many comments fell into the “lazy parenting” category.
As a mother, I fully understand the fundamental playground rules: no harm to others, no throwing objects, no sand warfare, and no bullying or inappropriate behavior. I remind my kids to refrain from throwing sticks or pinecones, and to avoid inappropriate actions under the play structure (a lesson learned the hard way). However, contrary to popular belief, I believe part of the purpose of a slide is to climb up it, not just to slide down. When there’s no one waiting to descend, kids should have the freedom to explore, climb, and tumble to their hearts’ content — and these physical skills are just as vital as the act of sliding down.
This is not merely rebellious talk. Climbing the slide activates the vestibular system, which includes fluid-filled parts of the ear that relay messages to the brain about movement, balance, and spatial orientation. According to VEDA: Life Rebalanced, these messages are crucial for overall coordination. Research in Frontiers in Neuroscience indicates that a lack of vestibular input during early development can lead to diminished cognitive performance and altered spatial understanding. Essentially, if kids don’t receive adequate vestibular stimulation, their perception of space may differ significantly from peers who do.
Additionally, children require bodily awareness, known as spatial awareness, which is described by Scholastic as understanding one’s body in relation to surrounding objects. They point out that low muscle tone can lead to clumsiness, and kids who spend too much time seated often have weaker muscles. North Shore Pediatric Therapy highlights that children with inadequate spatial awareness struggle to learn new gross motor skills, like jumping or climbing. Thus, scaling the slide aids in developing bodily awareness, reducing clumsiness, and facilitating learning of essential skills.
Climbing the slide also allows my kids to safely test their boundaries. How high can they go? Can they reach the top? When will they slide back down? We know that engaging in risky play is beneficial for children, fostering social skills, self-esteem, creativity, and resilience. Even when my kids fail (and they often do), there’s a valuable sense of accomplishment and effort tied to their slide-climbing experiences. They experiment with various grips and foot placements, enhancing their spatial understanding.
Most importantly, I want my children to realize they don’t have to use playground equipment according to someone else’s rules. When everyone is sliding down, climbing up transforms into an act of creativity. This encourages them to question their surroundings safely, starting at the playground.
I can hear the protests from the up-the-stairs-down-the-slide camp. How could I prioritize my kids’ ability to question authority over another child’s right to slide down? But I maintain my earlier point: it’s acceptable to climb up the slide as long as no one is waiting to come down. If there’s no line, I see no harm in a child ascending the slide.
I recognize that some parents may disapprove of my children climbing up, fearing they set a poor example. Yet, that’s an opportunity to discuss how different parents have different rules. I won’t restrict my kids’ enjoyment because someone else perceives them as a negative influence. If you don’t want your kids to climb up the slide, it’s your responsibility to stop them. But don’t interfere with my children, who know they can ascend if no one is waiting behind them.
My kids understand that the slide is primarily for descending. They know they can’t climb when there’s a line, and they’re aware that failing to heed this could result in an accidental collision. That’s another valuable lesson for both my children and the kids coming down.
Above all, climbing the slide is simply fun. I did it, you did it; we all recall the thrill, the careful maneuvering of hands and feet, and the pride that comes with reaching the top — only to slide back down again. I won’t deny my children that joy, and I feel sorry for those who do.
When you see us at the playground, be prepared. We’ll be mindful of your kids coming down, but when the slide is clear, my children will be climbing up. This is a natural part of childhood, rich with developmental benefits. And they’re going to embrace it — up-the-ladder-down-the-sliders and their disapproving glares notwithstanding.
For further insights into parenting and childhood development, check out this credible resource on the topic.
Summary:
Allowing children to climb the slide at the playground fosters essential developmental skills, encourages creativity, and teaches them to question societal norms. Engaging in risky play like this builds confidence, spatial awareness, and gross motor skills. As long as there’s no one waiting to slide down, climbing the slide is a fun and beneficial activity that all children should experience.