Why is England so behind?

[yevans]

Why has England not allowed under 12's to mingle yet like the rest of the UK?

I have a 1 year old who has never played properly with another child since she was aware of other kids. Surely this is going to start impacting their development?

I'm letting DS play with other kids anyway. One rule that I'm not going to follow.

@Waxonwaxoff0

I'm letting DS play with other kids anyway. One rule that I'm not going to follow.

Same. My kids have been much happier since they started playing outside with neighbours kids. We have met school friends and cousins. They had got to the point they were arguing and fighting constantly and sick of only having each other to play with

Yep, my DS is an only child. I'm not going to refuse him interaction with other children for months.

Probably because it's happening anyway

I’m not following that guidance. I live nearer to Scotland than Westminster. DD (2.5) has played with her cousin and one or two friends for a couple of months and now she’s back at nursery the children there don’t socially distance.

A lot of my friends are very strict about following the guidelines so as much as i'd be happy to let DC play with other kids I think I would struggle to find anyone else I know the same! 😱

Because England has far higher case numbers than other parts of the UK.

Most children will be back in schools next week, so I wouldn’t worry too much.

I have a 1 year old, what about all of those kids? Are they meant to distance until they start school? Feels like they have been forgotten about.

Playgrounds are open in England and have been for some weeks now. Young children love playing outdoors.

@Angel2702

Because England has far higher case numbers than other parts of the UK.

My understanding is that other parts of the UK aren't restricting due to studies showing lower transmission rates in children, not less case numbers. Surely that stands in England as well?

Can’t you just go to the park / softplay? 1 year olds don’t really play much with other children, more alongside them.

Everyone I know with small children is letting them play freely with others now, unless they’re pregnant or have been shielding. We’re socialising regularly outdoors with neighbours, NCT friends etc. DD2 is back at nursery but even if she wasn’t as an only child with no cousins there’s no way I’d be keeping her away from her peers at this point.

Surely a 1yr old is still firmly in the parallel play stage?

Yes, 1 year old is still not 'playing alongside' not 'with' other kids, but how will they ever learn how to play 'with' if they aren't allowed to?

We don't know how long covid restrictions will go on and it seems daft to me that this particular one hasn't been lifted yet.

Playgrounds are open, so is soft play. Just go to those.

I went to Wales on a short break last week. It felt so much more relaxed. They still have 2m social distancing for over 12s, yes - but no masks except on trains/buses, and the atmosphere was great. Was lovely to see little kids enjoying themselves on the beach. I think that the devolved administrations have handled covid better than Westminster although I can’t say I know a lot about them.

I’d let your child parallel play in the park or at soft play OP. Enjoy!

My children have been playing with others since they went back to school in June. They have sleepovers and play dates in the house (one friend at a time) and meet in groups outside. I have no concerns regarding their physical health but I did have with their mental health.

I wouldn't worry just yet about learning how to play with others. So much of that comes after 2 years old. But of course it's nice to have them see and interact with other children even at that age.

It is a huge oversight from the government, of course. What they're really saying is 'your child can only interact up close with non-household members if they're in a childcare or educational setting'. Which is absurd.

Soft plays have been reopened. That’s basically an announcement under 12s don’t have to social distance. Nurseries don’t social distance. Schools aren’t going to social distance. There’s no social distancing going on in playgrounds.

@Angel2702

Because England has far higher case numbers than other parts of the UK.

Some parts of England have relatively high case numbers. Most parts do not.

@Climbingallthetrees

Soft plays have been reopened. That’s basically an announcement under 12s don’t have to social distance. Nurseries don’t social distance. Schools aren’t going to social distance. There’s no social distancing going on in playgrounds.

Totally agree. So why not just change the guideline! 🙃

@nannynick

Playgrounds are open in England and have been for some weeks now. Young children love playing outdoors.

Not in my postcode, neither is softplay.

@Waxonwaxoff0

I'm letting DS play with other kids anyway. One rule that I'm not going to follow.

Same. Since beginning if July we have a group of friends who meet up and our 3 year olds play together. They would have been in a bubble together at preschool if it chose to open, so we made our own bubble.