Getting the kids outside this summer

CEBU, Philippines – The summer break is an awaited time by kids. School is out, the weather is warm, the sky is clear, and there’s lots of free time. Kids may indulge in whatever activity that comes their way… or to their mind.

But the kids’ abundant free time poses a challenge for parents. They cannot just provide the kids with entertainment to keep them at home, even if that’s what they actually want. The kids will just want to go out.

The various summer adventures that beckon outside are very difficult for kids to resist. It may just be making cubby houses or making cakes out of mud or just running around and seeking shade under the nearest tree. But that’s much better than spending their whole time indoors playing electronic games.

True, people’s lifestyles have since changed. Today’s children are spending much less time outdoors than in previous generations. Modern parents are partly to blame; they don’t want to get the kids dirty and be exposed to the elements.

In fact, there are plenty of physical and mental benefits to outdoor time for children. The website http://theconversation.com lists just a few reasons for kids to get outside this summer:

Physical health

Research shows that children who play outside are more active and generally have a lower risk of childhood obesity due to higher levels of physical activity. When outside, it is hard for a child to just sit still. Another study finds that the more time a child spends outside, the lower his risk for shortsightedness, something that doctors suspect is due to higher levels of light outside.

Immune system

Exposure to sunlight increases the body’s natural production of Vitamin D3. Children who are outside create more of this vitamin, which is important for bone and muscle development. It is also beneficial for overall health, but balancing sun exposure is particularly important during the summer months, so it’s important to use sun protection as needed.

Also, growing up on a farm can protect children from allergies and asthma. But it takes getting the children adequately dressed.

Cognitive skills

Natural environments offer many benefits to how children’s brains work. Research shows that being outdoors can lead to a range of cognitive benefits for children, including better memory, improvements in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms, improved concentration, and better reasoning skills. It is also thought that exposure to nature plays a positive role in brain development by providing children with opportunities to take risks, discover new things, be creative, develop a sense of wonder and engage in new tasks.

Psychological state

Children’s ability to regulate their emotions is also improved through exposure to nature. Research shows that exposure to natural environments can lead to a reduction in anger, a decreased risk for problem behavior, greater respect for self and others, greater autonomy and a reduction in depressive symptoms.

General wellbeing

Studies have found that even the simple presence of nature (trees, grass, plants) near the homes can help children better cope with stress. It also seems that spending time in nature can have long lasting benefits into adulthood. The natural environment triggers the body’s relaxation response, where blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels are reduced.

While kids are raring to go out for the fun, it appears that there are actually many benefits waiting for the kids outside. This is a significant point for parents to consider. It means more good than harm to get the kids out to a park, go on a long nature walk, or simply have them go play outside in the garden for a few hours.