Parents should stop mollycoddling their children and allow them to enjoy more ‘risky’ play, researchers say.
Kids who climb trees, ride bikes downhill and splash in outdoor streams have better physical and mental health, as well as sharper learning and thinking skills, according to a large analysis.
The team, from the University of Exeter (UoE) and the University of British Columbia, said encouraging such activities could counteract rising screen use and an increasingly risk-averse society.
They analysed 74 existing studies linking ‘risky play’ to the health outcomes of children aged three to 12.
Risky play was defined as ‘thrilling’ and ‘exciting’ activities including riding
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