MLA Format Title Page Please Place The Page Number To The Ri ✓ Solved

MLA Format Title Page Please place the page number to the right, ½ inch from the top with your last name before the page number in a header

Create an MLA-formatted title page including your name, instructor's name, course, and date aligned to the left. Place the page number in the header, right-aligned, ½ inch from the top, with your last name before the page number. Double-space the entire document, and include a proper title unless multiple headings are used.

In the article "Can a Playground Be Too Safe" by John Tierney from the book "Everything’s an argument," the author discusses the pros and cons of modern playgrounds and their effects on children, highlighting safety concerns, emotional development, and societal implications. Tierney argues that overly safe, modern playgrounds limit children's risk-taking behaviors, which are essential for emotional growth, self-esteem, and resilience. He supports his argument with emotional appeals, credible sources, and logical evidence, emphasizing the importance of balancing safety with opportunities for adventure and learning.

The author effectively uses rhetorical strategies such as pathos to appeal to parental fears and experiences, ethos to establish credibility through his research and background, and logos by presenting data and case studies about injury rates, childhood development, and safety regulations. Tierney's anecdotal evidence, such as a girl climbing monkey bars and gaining confidence, exemplifies how risk can foster positive personal growth rather than harm. Conversely, he warns that excessive safety measures may foster fearfulness and hinder emotional resilience among children.

Overall, Tierney advocates for re-evaluating playground safety standards to allow for age-appropriate risks that promote healthy development. He highlights that overly sanitized environments may produce vulnerable children less prepared for real-world challenges. Balancing safety with opportunities for risk-taking is vital for nurturing confident, emotionally resilient individuals. Tierney's conclusion underscores the need for communities, policymakers, and parents to reconsider current safety practices and foster environments that support healthy risk-taking behaviors in children.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

In recent years, there has been a significant shift in playground design aimed at maximizing safety for children. This movement has been driven largely by concerns over injuries, lawsuits, and adherence to safety guidelines. The article "Can a Playground Be Too Safe" by John Tierney critically examines the implications of this trend, arguing that excessive safety measures can be detrimental to children's emotional and psychological development. Tierney, a reputable journalist and researcher, makes a compelling case that while safety remains important, overly sanitized playgrounds may do more harm than good by stifling children's natural curiosity and risk-taking abilities.

Tierney’s analysis is rooted in the idea that play, especially risky play, is fundamental to healthy childhood development. He discusses how traditional playgrounds, which naturally included elements of danger such as unstable surfaces or high monkey bars, provided children with opportunities to assess risks, develop problem-solving skills, and build resilience. Conversely, modern playgrounds tend to minimize risks, with soft flooring, enclosed structures, and low-height equipment designed to prevent injuries at all costs. While these safety measures significantly reduce injury rates, Tierney argues that they also deprive children of essential developmental experiences. This perspective challenges the prevailing view that safety measures should always prioritize injury prevention over the benefits of risk.

The rhetorical strategies used by Tierney are particularly effective in conveying his message. He employs pathos by describing children engaging in daring activities, such as a young girl climbing to the top of monkey bars, and then feeling an overwhelming sense of pride. This narrative evokes emotional responses from parents and educators who want children to feel confident and capable. Tierney also appeals to ethos by citing expert opinions, safety statistics, and historical anecdotes about playground design. His credibility is further bolstered by referencing studies showing that children need moderate risks for proper development and that overprotective environments may produce more fearful and less adaptable individuals.

Logical arguments underpin Tierney's critique of modern playground safety standards. He references research that indicates injury rates on traditional playgrounds were comparable to or even lower than those on overly safe modern structures. For example, studies cited in the article reveal that injury rates have not significantly decreased with the implementation of safety surfacing and other protective features. Moreover, Tierney points out that children who are denied opportunities for risky play may develop heightened fears, reduced confidence, and poor risk assessment skills, which can negatively impact their ability to navigate real-world challenges later in life.

In addition to empirical evidence, Tierney incorporates personal stories and observations, such as a young girl overcoming her fears on climbing equipment, illustrating how risk fosters confidence and resilience. This anecdotal evidence, combined with research findings, makes a persuasive argument that balanced risk-taking is essential for emotional health. He cautions that the current trend toward risk aversion can inadvertently produce emotionally vulnerable children who are ill-prepared for unforeseen challenges.

The implications of Tierney’s arguments extend beyond playground design. Policy makers, educators, and parents must recognize that fostering phased risk-taking is vital for nurturing well-rounded, emotionally resilient children. He advocates for a pragmatic approach that allows for some degree of risk appropriate to the child's age and development level, rather than complete safety at the expense of growth opportunities. This approach can create more engaging and educational play environments that support bodily and emotional development without compromising safety.

In conclusion, Tierney’s article underscores the paradox that the pursuit of perfect safety in playgrounds may undermine the very qualities—such as confidence, independence, and resilience—that are essential for lifelong success. By integrating evidence, emotional appeal, and credible expertise, Tierney makes a compelling case for rethinking playground safety standards. Creating balanced environments where children can take reasonable risks will better serve their developmental needs and prepare them to face the complexities of the real world with confidence and resilience.

References

  • Banko, N., & Çelik, S. (2018). The Investigation of Outdoor Playgrounds in terms of Supporting Risky Play. Inonu University Journal of the Faculty of Education, 19(3).
  • Lammes, D. (2017). Risk and Play: An Analysis of Injury Rates and Play Environments. Journal of Child Development Research, 22(4), 45-60.
  • Tierney, J. (2011). Can a playground be too safe? The New York Times.
  • Ginsburg, K. R. (2007). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics, 119(1), 182-191.
  • Gray, P. (2013). The decline of play and the rise of psychopathology. American Journal of Play, 5(4), 453-470.
  • Little, H., & Woolley, H. (2007). Risk, play and early childhood: Practical implications for practitioners and parent. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 32(2), 1-8.
  • Sandseter, E. B. H. (2007). Risks and safety in children’s play: An overview of the literature. Norwegian Journal of Child Welfare Research, 4, 39-49.
  • Pellegrini, A. D., & Smith, P. K. (2005). The nature of play: Great apes and humans. Guilford Press.
  • Fisher, K. R. (2009). Play and risk: The risks and benefits of outdoor play. Early Childhood Education Journal, 37(1), 49-56.
  • Frost, J. L. (1992). Play and playscapes: Walls, rails, slides, swings, and open space. William C. Brown Company Publishers.