New research shows 60% of British parents are concerned that their children aren’t getting enough stimulation through outdoor play, with seven in 10 believing that children should have more exposure to playgrounds modernised with technology.
Almost a fifth f parents admit they never take their children to local playgrounds, with almost two in five claiming their child doesn’t find a traditional playground interesting, according to the research by Virgin Media O2. Despite this, almost all parents (94%) feel that playing outside is important, with two thirds (66%) citing it as good for their child’s mental health.
Virgin Media O2 temporarily took over a playground and modified apparatus such as swings, slides and climbing frames to create a connected playground experience. By adding sensors, pressure pads and infrared beams, which react and respond to a child’s movement in real-time, kids were tasked with problem-solving challenges as they play.
Developed in partnership with leading Child Psychologist, Professor Sam Wass, the park set children the challenge to create their very own musical track as they navigated their way around the apparatus. Each interaction influenced the pitch and tempo, adding another layer of sound to build a piece of music that could be heard through speakers throughout the playground. Once the child has completed the course, they were able to download their unique music track to take home and listen back to their masterpiece.
Subscribe here for the latest news where you live
Professor Sam Wass, child psychologist and expert on Channel 4’s Secret Life of 4 and 5 Year Olds, said: “The scientific evidence is overwhelming now that spending time outdoors has both immediate and long-term benefits for children’s concentration and mood. But encouraging this as a parent can be hard because children’s expectations and what they get from digital play are constantly evolving. New hybrid environments, such as Virgin Media O2’s Connected Playground, may in future play a vital role in encouraging children to embrace technology in outdoor settings, and help provide children with the tools they need to think and play creatively.”
Gareth Lister, Director of Connectivity at Virgin Media O2, said: “Great connectivity has never been so integral to everyday life. From play to education, and everything in between, it sits at the heart of all that we do. Using our hyperfast gigabit broadband and 5G mobile networks, we created The Connected Playground to bring to life the boundless possibilities of connectivity. That’s why we’ll keep pushing boundaries and innovating so that our connectivity can continue to power new technologies and experiences of the future.”
