My six-year-old son plays well outside and with his friends, and they do not need to scream and shout continuously. But one of my neighbours has three children who are driving us all mad with their constant shouting and screaming. How awful it would be if everyone continued in this way.
Yes, by all means, let children play outside and let off some steam - but not continuously. Have them take a break and do something else quietly. The children's noise upsets us and we find it very stressful as we cannot hear our television properly, cannot think properly - the list is endless.
I consider my neighbours with regard to my own son and the four children I care for as a childminder each week, and I teach them to respect other people. Children wanting to play and make lots of noise ought to go to the places designed for children to go to get rid of their energy, such as playgrounds, football pitches, toddler groups and swimming pools. There they can make as much noise as they want without disturbing anyone who does not want to hear them.
Salli Robinson
via e-mail
