Why Kids Need to be Outdoors
The advent of computers altered the playtime scenario for many children. Today a lot of them prefer the ‘virtual reality’ of computers to ‘actual reality’ of the outdoors. The reasons vary and often combine to inhibit children from going out: fear of strangers and woody unfrequented places; limited and limiting spaces in the neighborhood; fear of play accidents; child-restrictive community regulations, and others. Whatever they may be, the net effect is that more and more children now spend less and less time outdoors, depriving themselves of the benefits of outdoor play.
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Health reasons. For a very long time now, the benefits of exposure to sunlight as source of Vitamin D had been explained in school lessons. What is seldom given emphasis is that sunlight also stimulates the brain’s pineal gland, which is vitally important to the immune system, regulates the daily body rhythm and helps us feel happier.
Physically active children are likewise less prone to diseases and health disorders, at the same making them develop more normally. Active movement enhances the blood vessels, delivers more blood and nutrients to the brain and other body parts, removing waste substances more quickly. Brain function is therefore optimized.
Reduces stress. Children experience stress also like adults and therefore need to release it as well. Researchers have determined that unstructured play releases stress much more effectively than seatwork. Exuberant and spontaneous play, typical activities of children playing outdoors, allows children to release tension and pent-up energy as well as assume control of the personal activities, engendering greater stress-free feelings.
Social development. Children as people will interact with others sooner or later, so it is important for them to learn how through group play. Although this –group playing — can be done indoors, the activities and performance are rather limited when held indoors, reducing effectiveness and beneficial effects. There is just something about outdoors that encourages the release of one’s feelings ‘with feeling’. Otherwise, how can you explain the child’s strong desire to play in the snow even though it is terribly cold?
Resourcefulness development. Bored children learn to amuse themselves, and they can find more reasons and ways of amusing themselves outdoors. This in turn develops the inquisitiveness of the child, eventually leading to learning and hopefully, wisdom. Children who become couch potatoes start by being passive stimuli receivers, never able to experience the joys of personal discovery of things and whatnots.
Beyond its dimensions, the ‘Great Outdoors’ was called so because of its tremendous potential to serve our needs, starting from sustenance to entertainment, on the personal and social levels, for the physical and psychological aspects of life. All we have to do is to pen ourselves to it, and embrace it with respect. And teach our children about it, but letting them learn it themselves most of the time.
About the author: This is a guest post by Ben from Hatton World, offering a wide range of kids activities including an indoor play area and soft play area.
