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Missing Out on Outdoor Play
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| Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 | Emily Halevy | CWK Producer |
“I watch TV all the time. I play video games. I can barely live without my Xbox.”
– Mitchell, 11
The average American child spends almost six hours a day in front of a screen: TV, computer or video games. The only thing children spend more time doing each day is sleeping. More than ever before, kids today are missing out on the outdoors -- water, wind, earth, and stars; crossing a stream, paddling on a lake, walking in the woods. For some kids, going to camp is a stark change from life at home.
“I watch TV all the time. I play video games. I can barely live without my Xbox,” says Mitchell, 11.
“Sitting on the couch and waiting for your favorite show to come on TV,” says Christine, 13.
“I don’t really get to go outside that much,” says Bianca, 9.
In fact, according to a study funded by the Nature Conservancy, the amount of time people spend outdoors has dropped 25 percent over the past two decades. Experts say that all that time inside can contribute to kids who are overweight and stressed out.
“Living in an artificial environment is a very stressful place to live,” says Josh Reynolds, camp counselor.
“And if they just step back and take a deep breath and come outside and actually look around and just enjoy what God’s given us to enjoy, I think it’s going to help kids become less stressed. [Reduced] stress level leads to better health. All those things that are beneficial to children from any age,” says Alyson Gondek, camp director.
Gondek says parents should set aside at least one day every couple of weeks to spend time at a park or a campsite, a river or a lake. After a while, “inside” kids like Mitchell might change.
“I think Mitchell will be changed when he goes home and his parents are going to see something different in him. They’re going to hopefully see that he’s not watching TV and [playing] video games as much. Really just be in nature more,” says Gondek.
“If I lived out here for maybe three or four weeks -- a month maybe -- I probably would eventually just not even remember my Xbox,” says Mitchell.
Tips for Parents
- Outdoor activities are great for kids of all ages, from preschoolers to kids in high school. Not only do children learn from exploring what's around them, they also get in much-needed physical activity. (Family Education)
- By exploring what's around them, kids begin to develop investigative skills which will help them later in life when they have to grasp many different science and math concepts. (Family Education)
- Hiking is a great way to get outdoors and get some exercise. State parks offer free trails to hike and many acres to explore. Activities such as scavenger hunts can add a little more structure to the hike. (Family Education)
- View stars from your own backyard; local newspapers often publish a regional "sky watch" that you can use as your guide. Start with something easily identifiable, such as the "Big Dipper." Consider going to a local planetarium or observatory to learn about the night sky. (Family Education)
- Participating in nature clean-ups or volunteering to do trail maintenance are activities that teach kids that they have the ability to do something positive for the environment and community. When parents get involved, they model responsible environmental behavior that will help instill those values in their children. (Family Education)
References
- Family Education
