Came across this The New York Times piece explaining why Berlin is a “playground paradise”.
It’s not just that the actual playgrounds are creatively designed, physically challenging and plentiful, but also the attitude of parents. German parents believe in giving their children the space for adventurous play — to explore, climb, build, and in the process, develop a sense of “selbstständigkeit” or self-sufficiency.
The article describes how in the US (and I suspect in Singapore too), playgrounds are less challenging because parents are more protective of their kids. But it is good for children to learn through exploration and risk taking, and to take a few tumbles in the process. They will grow up more confident and resilient, better able to cope with unfamiliar or difficult situations.
I asked the Housing & Development Board about this, because HDB builds many playgrounds in our housing estates. HDB tells me that they are trying out more interesting designs, like a forest-themed playground in Bukit Panjang, and a military-inspired design in Choa Chu Kang (where Keat Hong Camp used to be). I hope these will be popular with children and their parents, and will lead us to create many more fun spaces for kids! - LHL
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