Nursery World - Children more likely to run around when parents keep their distance

Children whose parents 'hover' over them while playing are less likely to engage in higher levels of physical activity such as running, according to a new study.

Of the 2,712 children observed, 34 per cent were engaged in walking and 13 per cent in vigorous physical activity.

Their findings suggest that children who were monitored too closely by hovering - or ‘helicopter’ parents - were more likely to be prevented from getting good exercise.

Girls in particular were less likely to be observed in higher levels of physical activity.

However, facilities such as basketball courts or football coaching programmes increased the likelihood of children aged five and above engaging in a higher level of activity, as did the presence of other active children.

Dr Jason Bocarro, associate professor of parks, recreation and tourism management at North Carolina State, who led the study, said, ‘It’s a catch-22 for today’s parents. Many parents are worried about the safety of their children, so tend to hover over them. The worry is - especially as we are seeing childhood obesity become an epidemic - hovering is keeping kids from running around and playing with their peers, and instead maybe sitting in front of the computer or television.’

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