More real-world independence

Some of us may remember a childhood where riding our bikes around the neighborhood ‘until the streetlights came on’ was the norm. But recent decades have brought a significant decline in real-world experiences for children, primarily due to: 

  • The rise of digital technology

  • Increased parental anxiety leading to overprotective behaviors

  • Heightened academic pressures

  • Cultural shifts towards more restrictive parenting norms. 

The result: our kids are spending more time indoors on screens and less time engaged in unstructured, unsupervised play and exploration.

Tiny Town

We are all so fortunate to live in a city where it doesn’t have to be this way. Piedmont is uniquely small, safe, and close-knit - so our kids can have the childhood we dream about, as long as we let them. How can we make this happen? 

We can all start with making the choice to give our kids agency: to walk in the neighborhood, to plan playdates, to organize themselves to do the activities they want to do with their friends. Kids walking through our neighborhood can be a cause for celebration, not worry: it means they feel safe. 

“Give kids back some independence, free play and responsibility in the real world.”

Jonathan Haidt

Discovery Mode

In his book, Haidt champions the importance of unstructured play and exploration as crucial for healthy child development. He argues that these experiences foster essential skills and attributes, including:

  • Creativity and Imagination

    Unstructured play allows children the freedom to invent their own games, create imaginary worlds, and experiment with different roles and scenarios.

    This fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think outside the box.

  • Social and Emotional Development

    Through unstructured play with peers, children learn to negotiate, compromise, share, and resolve conflicts.

    They develop empathy, emotional regulation skills, and the ability to understand and navigate social dynamics.

  • Resilience and Risk-Taking

    Unstructured play often involves physical challenges, risk-taking, and the opportunity to experience both success and failure.

    This helps children develop resilience, learn to manage setbacks, and build confidence in their abilities.

  • Self-Regulation and Independence

    When children engage in unstructured play, they learn to manage their own time, make decisions, and entertain themselves.

    This fosters independence, self-regulation, and the ability to take initiative.

  • Physical Health and Well-Being

    Unstructured outdoor play provides opportunities for physical activity, which is essential for children's physical health and development.

    It also promotes mental well-being by reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and increasing exposure to nature.

Inspired by the…

Let Grow Project, we’re pushing ourselves beyond our parenting comfort zones to enable more real-world experiences that will help our kids grow into confident, resilient young adults.