Children don't play outside in nature as much as they parents used to. This isn't surprising considering the advent of technology, virtual games, and social media.
Technology Is Good, But Playing Outside Is More Important
The National Trust, a conservation organization in England, surveyed 1,001 parents with children aged between four and 14, according to The Guardian. Nearly all of the parents (96 percent) think it's important for children to play outside and establish a "connection with nature" because for them, it's a crucial part of the youngsters' development.
The survey found that 83 percent of parents believe that technology is important, but majority of them still want their kids to play outside just like what they did decades ago. On average, children of today played outside for only over four hours per week, as opposed to their parents' 8.2 hours a week of outside playtime in their childhood.
Even schools have lessened recess time. Educators think giving children free time to play and mingle with others ends up in chaos, trouble, or bullying. Childhood experts, however, believe that moving around and indulging in physical activities can prevent kids from getting bored and help them remember their classroom lessons well, 2machines wrote.
How The National Trust Aims To Fix This Issue
Actor and musician Raleigh Ritchie, also known as playing Grey Worm on "Game of Thrones," has collaborated with the National Trust to entice children to play outside. Ritchie has composed a rap that mentions things kids can stumble upon outside. Sticks, for instance, can be used by children as pretend swords and magic wands.
According to Ritchie, childhood should be about "getting outdoors and going on adventures, using your imagination to customize the world you see and feeding that appetite for fresh air and fun," The Guardian further reported. Dr. Sam Wass, a child psychologist, said playing outside enables children to exercise their imagination and creativity instead of just staying glued to their tablets or televisions.
National Trust ranger Ed Anderson also said that playing outdoors could encourage children to care more for nature and the environment. Eventually, these kids could share that appreciation for nature to their own sons and daughters and the next generations to come.
Other benefits that children can get from playing outdoors are healthier self-esteem, better social skills, heightened attention span, improved vision, low stress levels, and getting natural vitamin D supply from sunlight, Care.com listed. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, vitamin D can give kids better immune systems and prevent serious health issues like bone problems, heart disease, and diabetes.
