Encouraging more outdoor play
Article by Keith Barrett
Video games seem to be particularly popular with many children right now. Many parents simply didn?t have video games available when they were younger and thus struggle to understand why kids love them so much. Wouldn?t it be healthier if they were spending more time playing outdoors?
Outdoor play seems to be something of a lost art. That?s a great shame, particularly since many of us know just how much fun is to be found outdoors. With access to fresh air, increased social interaction and more opportunities to explore, playing outdoors can be great fun.
Why don?t children of today seem to see how much fun is to be had? Partly it?s because parents have often not taken too much time to show them the joys of outdoor play. This may be because having the kids indoors can often seem to be more simple ? it allows us all to keep a close eye on our children and ensure that they are not up to mischief.
But is it healthy for them? It feels like they are missing out on what should be an integral part of childhood. There?s a darker side to this too. A number of recent studies have shown that many children are simply not getting enough exercise.
This is leading to a number of issues, including serious worries surrounding weight and fitness levels. At a a relatively low level this can lead to teasing at school. Worse still, there may also be health problems in the years ahead.
Taking all of this into account, it seems like encouraging our children to spend more time playing outdoors should be a positive step. But is it easy? Can we convince our kids to shun computer games for a few hours?
If we want to be successful in doing so then we need to take the time to show them how much fun is to be had. We may even need to spend a bit of money. Rather than buying a new video game, why don?t we spend some of that money on buying some exciting outdoor games, toys or equipment?
Showing our children that outdoor play is exciting can be a great way to encourage them to spend more time outdoors, maybe in the garden. Once they get used to playing in this way, they will often choose outdoors games instead of indoor pursuits.
This can have a really positive influence on their lives and on their futures.
About the Author
Find out more about toys and kids garden games with more articles by Keith Barrett. You?re welcome to make use of this article, as long as this resource box is retained in full.
Posted by Dan on Monday, July 4, 2011 at 10:49 pm?
Filed under Outdoors ? Tagged with Buying Games, Children Of Today, Computer Games, Darker Side, Encouraging, Exercise, Fitness Levels, Fresh Air, Health Problems, Keith Barrett, Mischief, Money, More, outdoor, outdoor games, Outdoor Play, outdoor toys, Parents, play, Shame, Social Interaction, Video Game, Video Games, Worries
Source: http://www.theyellowads.com/travel_leisure/encouraging-more-outdoor-play
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