There’s a saying ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes. There’s an element of truth to this. In many parts of the world, there is a huge problem with children not spending enough time outside.
In parts of Scandinavia, it’s common for babies to sleep outside in all but the coldest of weather. They are wrapped up well but sleep in the open air for a few hours each day. It helps them sleep better and is great for the immune system. At school, children have short breaks in between classes and they spend this outside.
Children today are either doing all of their activities indoors, or parents are worried that anything less than perfect weather isn’t suitable.
Yet the benefits of spending time outside, especially for children, are huge. Here are some of the main ones.
Spending time outside – Babies sleep better
Even if it’s not possible to let your baby nap outdoors, spending time outside in the fresh air during the day can help them sleep better at night. Take a walk with the stroller, or create a nice outdoor patio or decking area at home with garden furniture from Poplar Nurseries that will let you sit outside and relax.
Better motor skills
Playing outside has huge benefits for agility, balance, and coordination. The sheer act of playing on different surfaces, climbing trees, or running through bushes helps children move more confidently.
Spending time outside – Fewer weight issues
It’s a fact of modern life that a lot of developed countries are experiencing a childhood obesity problem. In the US, over 30 percent of children are now considered obese. Children spending time playing outside are more active and less likely to gain weight due to a sedentary lifestyle. This can have lifelong benefits.
Spending time outside – Better health
Overall better health is great for reducing the risk of health complications such as diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and cancer as they get older. So encourage them to make it a hobby as they grow up.
Improved relationships with caregivers
Being cooped up indoors, sometimes with other kids, can be overwhelming and cause children to either become withdrawn or compete for attention. Being outside gives them a better sense of freedom and space to move around in. This has great psychological benefits as well as physical ones. Children are more likely to be able to communicate with their caregivers in this type of environment.
Improved friendships
Studies have shown that children who play outside often are less likely to bully other children. Playing outdoors often requires a lot of teamwork and imagination, which is great for helping kids to bond and communicate with each other in a positive way. They’ll also be getting regular vitamin D which is great for energy and mood.
Takeaways
These are just a few of the reasons that you should be encouraging children to play outdoors as often as possible. The emotional and physical benefits are clear. It will also give them a greater appreciation of the environment and its place in it. Which can only be a good thing.
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