New York City has seen an 18% decrease in its population of children aged 5 and under since 2020, reflecting broader trends impacting family life in urban areas. The article recounts a personal incident of a parent attempting to let her child enjoy playtime in a playground that was closed due to safety concerns. The experience highlights the challenges posed by institutional rules governing access to public play spaces, raising questions about children's freedom to explore and engage in play, crucial for their development.
"Play is the work of the child," wrote Maria Montessori, pushing back against the tendency of adults to trivialize the child's constant quest for movement and exploration.
After Mass, my son - a squirmy, active 2½-year-old - my husband and friends walked to the Pier 26 playground along the Hudson River to let Zev run around after he exhibited extraordinary skill at sitting still in church.
I argued for a while, pointing to the fact that it’s 45 degrees and there’s no ice on the playground and suggesting that maybe, just maybe, children deserve just a morsel of freedom.
One complicating factor is that the playground is managed by a trust set up as a public benefit corporation, governed by a board of directors appointed by the governor, mayor and borough president.
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