Playing outside:
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Stimulates creativity
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Encourages problem-solving skills
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Increases concentration at school
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Decreases temper tantrums, anger, ADD symptoms & depression
Indoor lifestyles increase the chance of:
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Headaches
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Stomachaches
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Sleeping Problems
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Stress related illness
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Diabetes
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Obesity
The Importance of Playtime
Playtime is NOT wasted time. Children need unstructured time to play and explore without adult interaction in order to develop social independence and creativity. This does not mean children run around unsupervised and unmonitored. Unstructured play means that a child directs their own playtime and entertains him/herself.
Today, children spend their time in highly structured, adult-lead activities (soccer, baseball, ballet, etc) or in passive activities like television and video games. This structure needs to be balanced with some free play where the child’s mind can wander and explore in its own way.
The outdoors is the perfect place to promote a child’s free play. Nature provides a variety of sounds, colors, textures, and places for children to discover. These are opportunities for children to learn problem solving skills, motor-function, social-skills, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence.
For more information and original research on the importance of unstructured, outdoor playtime visit: http://www.childrenandnature.org/downloads/Burdette_LookingBeyond.pdf
For other great information regarding the nation-wide felt need to increase physical activity and increase healthy choices, visit Michelle Obama’s organization’s home page – www.letsmove.gov “Let’s Move” Campaign.
May 24, 2010 at 2:10 pm
[...] Benefits of Outdoor Play [...]
July 7, 2011 at 1:47 pm
I think it’s important to play outside, but with the right gear. Children these days are so lazy and lethargic…we need to get them moving! I love MIchelle’s campaign. I’m so scared about applying the proper sunscreen and making my children wear clip on sunglasses in the sun. Thanks!
July 19, 2011 at 7:30 am
Hi,
we work as childrens entertainers and we find an outdoor show is far better than indoors providing the children are wearing sunscreen. I find the children feel more free to react in an outdoor enviroment as this is their natural play area. indoors is where school happens so the children tend to be more rigid and react less, outdoors seems to release freedom. Thanks!