2
Observation of Families at the Park
The Lord commands us, “Start+children off on the way they should go, and even when
they are old; they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 NIV) I see this as God not only telling us
to teach our children about God’s word. But also, His love through us living, training, and
playing with them. “Play is more than just fun and games: It’s vital to a child’s learning and
growth.” (Why Play Is Important for Your Child’s Learning and Growth, 2021). Play contributes
to a child's mental, social, and physical development. When Children are playing with one
another, negotiations and compromise are a couple of things they learn from each other. Play is
beneficial in many ways, such as independence, self -confidences are being built, social skills,
creative growth, and physical growth. In 2022 The National Recreation and Park Association
( NRPA) stated that programs and services are of high value to people. Despite the pandemic,
parks were the one place parents knew they could feel safe enjoying with their children, as seen
on the graphic on page . “While the pandemic has imposed harsh economic and health costs on
our nation, one positive net benefit has been that it has given families more time to spend
together outdoors, especially visiting local parks and nearby recreation resources.” ( The Value of
Play, Playgrounds, and Parks During the Pandemic | Feature | Parks & Recreation Magazine |
NRPA,n.d.).
Observing families and how they interact with one another and others at the park was
fascinating as I spent the only lovely afternoon we have or will have this time of year. As I sat
there waiting, I worked on other assignments. Me being one of many who took advantage of the
nice weather. A car pulled in, and two young children (maybe between 4-6 years of age) piled
out of the back seat independently. Both of them ran straight to the swings. The swings at this
park are low to the ground, making it easy for the smaller children to enjoy swinging along with
3
others. At first, the dad stayed in the car. It seemed he was having a conversation on his cell
phone. After several minutes he opened the car door and yelled for the kids to come back to the
car. Although I could see the disappointment in their actions, they jumped off the swings,
returned to the car, and climbed back in the back seat. As they pulled away, more vehicles were
coming in. I sat there for a few hours observing the children’s interactions and whomever they
were with. As each child exited their car, I saw the joy on most of their faces. There were a
couple of kids that I had observed throwing a tantrum almost immediately over a piece of
equipment already occupied. As the park started to fill up, I noticed children approaching one
another to play with one form or another. For a while, a game of tag was happening, and the
younger ones would run around along with the older ones as if they were also a part of the game.
From my vantage point, there were many different situations; the children often played without
the adults they were with. A few of the adults would be sitting in the shade on their phones, some
were sitting together having conversations with one another, and there was one unpacking
Kentucky fried Chicken at a table while their children were in the game of tag. However, there
were a few instances where the adult would join their children in play by riding or pushing them
on the swings; even a couple climbed the slide and rode down with the child. Occasionally I
would notice a child or two begging for the parent to come to play with them. However, it
seemed rare.
As I continued to watch, I noticed that the children whose parents were not out there playing
with them seemed more outgoing than the others. I witnessed a girl running up to the swings to
ask another one about the same age to play tag with them. The girl on the swing was being
pushed back and forth by the adult who brought her; she seemed sheepish and not as outgoing as
others.
4
Thinking back on my childhood when cell phones and other technology did not yet exist.
I recall more parents playing with the children than I saw at this park the other day. I also
remember sliding, swinging, and teeter-tottering with my children. Now I manage a small local
46-site campground with limited amenities such as no pool, no recreation room, and no WIFI,
yet we were one of the few places permitted to be open to the public during the Covid-19
Pandemic. We stayed full during this time with even more tent camping than usual. The theme
was parents wanting to leave the house and spend time with their children.
In conclusion, I have understood that many families are beginning to sit their cell phones
down and enjoy one another. Back to the basic lifestyle, and more so than not, this is what I
observed at the park for this assignment.
KEY
FINDINGS
OF
THE
2022
ENGAGEMENT
WITH
PARKS
REPORT:
in
the
United
States
visited
a
local
Pee
IE
ce
Turco
have
at
least
one
local
park,
playground,
‘open
space
or recreation
center within
walking
distance
of
their
homes
Pea
me
MELE
ec
Pe
En
ecto
agree
that
parks
and
recreation
is
an
important
sevice
provided by
their
local
government
ECTS
RU
Ley
Creu
mune
Lg
their
local
park
and
recreation
agency
‘2022
ENGAGEMENT
WITH
PARKS
REPORT.
BH
5
6
References:
BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages. (n.d.).
Retrieved February 20, 2022, from https://www.biblegateway.com/
https://www.nrpa.org/contentassets/257fe28053c6420786927fcffc2f9996/engagement-with-
parks-infographic.png
The Value of Play, Playgrounds, and Parks During the Pandemic | Feature | Parks & Recreation
Magazine | NRPA. (n.d.).
https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2021/december/the-value-of-play-
playgrounds-and-parks-during-the-pandemic/
Why Play Is Important for Your Child’s Learning and Growth. (2021, August 17).
Waterford.org. https://www.waterford.org/resources/why-play-is-important-for-children
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