What did you enjoy most about your childhood? Was it riding your bike, fishing, flying your kite, going to the beach, swimming, playing hide and seek in the woods, building dens, or playing on the swings? Looking back, not only were these fantastic opportunities to get outdoors in the fresh air and a healthy alternative to sitting indoors – but all of them were also absolutely free!
Unfortunately, it seems that many children today don't have the opportunity to spend much time outside. The truth is over the last 20 to 30 years, children haven't changed much, but we as parents or guardians have. According to a survey commissioned by Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest (Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest - www.supergrounds.com):
Nearly 50% of children spend more than three hours a day watching TV or playing computer games
More than one-third of children never play outside
Nearly two-thirds of parents are worried about letting their children play outside
97% of children have been warned about the dangers of playing outside
According to leading experts outdoor activities are known to be valuable for children improving their concentration, circulation and as a preventative against coughs and colds. However, looking back at our own childhood, and at the children around us, spending time indoors has become much more of a way of life in recent years.
So how we can motivate children to spend more time outside?
Why it is more difficult to motivate our kids to spend time outdoors?
Outdoor play gives children the opportunity to interact with others, building their confidence, courage and developing their understanding of the natural world. However, concerns about children's safety, technology targeted at children, and parents working long hours are all factors which contribute to the reduced amount of time we spend outdoors. In addition, most of us live in cities and suburbs where there may be fewer opportunities for kids to play freely.
Outdoor play – the benefits for children
All children young and old benefit from being outside, although play activities do vary depending on age. Safety is a key issue with growing concerns about children being supervised at all times.
Babies and outdoor activities
Babies and young tots observe and absorb their surroundings from an early age. Fresh air is as important for them as it is for all of us, and may even encourage a better sleeping pattern. Think about taking a walk in the park, stopping to look at the fish pond or pointing out the birds and squirrels.
Under 12s and outdoor activities
Once your children are a little older, you could turn these walks in the park into quizzes. Encourage your children to find 5 different types of leaves or get them playing "chase" or interactive ball games.
You may find that toddlers get tired quickly, but if you let them walk alongside the pushchair (when safe), you may find it also helps them with walking and balance. As they get a bit more confident, they may want to explore a little more. Try and vary the outdoor environment to maximise their experiences.
Teenagers and outdoor activities
Teenagers also benefit from being outdoors – but they may be looking for more of a challenge! For those that are sporty, suggest joining a local sports team. For those less sporty, try an activity club or interest group.
The health benefits of outdoor activity
NHS Direct recommends that children should take part in half an hour of exercise every day to strengthen bones and muscles and to help protect children from putting on weight.
An easy way to kick this off is by walking or cycling to school with your children.
There's also new "walking buses" which are taking off all over the country. A crocodile of children walk to school with a supervisor at the back and the front. It acts like a bus and has certain "stops" where people can "get on or off".
These are a well supervised, environmentally friendly way to ensure that kids get out in the fresh air, interact with their peers and it also supports the development of community spirit. If a walking bus, doesn't happen in your area – you could always set one up with other parents.
Weight management and outdoor activity
Childhood obesity is on the increase. Children seem to be doing less exercise than ever before. An article published by the British Medical Association in September 2001 found that a disturbing number of pre-school children were overweight or obese: at the age of 5, 18.7% (that's nearly 1 in 5) were overweight and 7.2% (that's 1 in 14) obese. According to the BMA 1 million young people under the age of 16 are obese.
The First National Travel Survey (1999/2001) reported a fall of about 20 per cent in the annual distance walked and 27% in the distance cycled by children between 1985 and 1993. Drawing from these figures, an average British school boy or girl most likely now walks for less than seven minutes a day. The British Medical Association's website reports on preventing childhood obesity (British Medical Association, Preventing Childhood Obesity, 2005) and highlights that poor nutrition and exercise is having an adverse affect on physical health now and later in life.
Why are children spending less time playing outdoors?
Play is an active form of learning that unites mind, body, and spirit. It is seen to reduce tension associated with having to achieve or needing to learn. Play is very important in helping children to work out what is going on around them and dealing with their own experiences. In extreme cases, it may also help children deal with difficult emotions. Drawing for example is used in certain types of therapy.
Today, children experience much of the world through the electronic medium and the development of children's perceptual abilities could suffer. It's important not to forget that the senses of smell, touch, taste and the sense of motion through space are also powerful modes of learning and something which could be achieved through the play.
Expression through outdoor play
Play is an active form of learning that unites mind, body, and spirit. It is seen to reduce tension associated with having to achieve or needing to learn. Play is very important in helping children to work out what is going on around them and dealing with their own experiences. In extreme cases, it may also help children deal with difficult emotions. Drawing for example is used in certain types of therapy.
Today, children experience much of the world through the electronic medium and the development of children's perceptual abilities could suffer. It's important not to forget that the senses of smell, touch, taste and the sense of motion through space are also powerful modes of learning and something which could be achieved through the play.
How often should children play outdoors?
Although the Government (Department of Health (2004) At least five a week. London: DoH) and the Scottish Executive ('Let's Make Scotland More Active: A strategy for physical activity' (Scottish Executive, 2003) suggest that children need 1 hour of exercise a day to ensure sufficient bone health, muscle strength and flexibility, there appears to be no official daily guideline in the UK on outdoor play.
More recent research from the BMA even suggests (Health Survey for England, 2002) that one third of our children are not getting the recommended one hour a day, highlighting that there has been a decline in school based sport.
Your children may not be getting the right amount of physical exercise in school, so you may need to ensure they have more opportunities in the evenings or on weekends. Getting your children out and into the uplifting fresh air will help keep them motivated at school as well as helping them keep fit.
