Too Much Structure For Kids? Avon Program Examines How They Play

Avon Land Trust

AVON, CT — Older generations look back on their childhoods and, often, reminisce about simply going "outside to play" and the joy that freedom brought to them.

It's a luxury children of recent generations have not had in an era of heavily structured activities, play dates and "stranger danger" fears.

A program in Avon on Tuesday, Oct. 24, will look into the concept of unstructured play time for children, featuring a documentary movie on the issue and post-movie discussion.

The Avon Land Trust, in partnership with the Thompson Brook School PTO, is hosting the program.

A moderated discussion will follow a screening of the 2021 film "Chasing Childhood." It all starts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, in the Thompson Brook School auditorium, 150 Thompson Road, Avon.

"As life for children and families becomes increasingly complex, there’s never been a better time for us to pause together as a community and ask: How can we simplify?" reads an announcement of the program.

Tuesday's event is funded by a grant from Northwest Community Bank.

"Chasing Childhood" is an award-winning documentary that examines how free play and independence have all but disappeared from children’s lives.

The movie shows how such activities have been supplanted by scheduled, adult-led activities, resulting in "relentless perfectionism and record levels of anxiety and depression."

A trailer of the film can be seen at: www.chasingchildhooddoc.com and free seats can be reserved at www.avonlandtrust.org/events.

For more information on the Avon Land Trust, click on this link.