COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio state lawmakers are considering a bill making it clear that kids should be allowed to play or engage in other activities outside the home without parental supervision.
State Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) is sponsoring Senate Bill 277, also called the Let Children Grow Act, which would clarify that allowing a child to engage in independent activities out of the house should not be considered abusive or neglectful.
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“It’s important that children get those independent skills and are able to play and learn; that’s how kids learn — by play,” Gavarone said. “I know when I was a kid, I would be able to walk over to the shopping center and buy a candy bar or something, or I could walk to school with my siblings. Those are things that a lot of kids aren’t able to do these days. Sometimes a neighbor will call children’s services when they see a child playing by themselves outside.”
Gavarone said she does not want parents to be afraid to let their kids explore the world, and at the same time, wants to prevent local social services from wasting limited time and resources…