Encourage Your Kids to Get Outdoors This Fall

Now that the weather is finally starting to cool down, there’s never been a better time to get outside! Playing outside offers countless benefits for children. Research shows that outdoor play boosts health, and kids of all ages enjoy it (HealthyChildren.org) and it can be a great way to forge positive relationships with peers and their own sense of exercise. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids 6 years and older get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on most days of the week. Plus, the more time a child spends in nature, the more likely they are to grow up caring for the environment— that’s a win-win!
The Negative Effects of Too Much Screen Time
Many children today struggle to step away from digital devices or lack access to safe outdoor play areas. A shortage of physical and social activity can contribute to rising rates of chronic disease and mental health issues. That’s why we want to encourage you to try and strike a balance between screen time and outdoor play.
The Positives of Playing
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids who play outside are generally:
- Physically healthier: More outdoor time is linked with improved motor development and lower obesity rates. Safely getting some sun also helps us make vitamin D that our bodies need to stay healthy and strong – just make sure to wear your sunscreen!
- More engaged in learning: Playing outside promotes curiosity, creativity and critical thinking and focus. Studies have found that children who spent more time in nature exploration had improved learning outcomes and those with ADHD show reduced symptoms.
- Mentally healthier with more positive moods: Research shows that when children spent time in natural settings they had less anger and aggression. Impulse control also improves.
Get Creative with Outdoor Time
If your kids are reluctant to put away the video games, or they don’t enjoy certain aspects of the outdoors (such as bugs), try and accommodate their desires by focusing on what they do enjoy! This can look like purchasing a bug repellent that they will use (gel options can be appealing to those who don’t like the strong scent and application of aerosol sprays) or choosing to participate in a community event where their peers might also be present like a walk, run, game, or scavenger hunt.
No matter what you do, count it as a blessing to be outside! We can all use a reminder that the clean environment we live in is a blessing!
For questions or any other concerns, Augusta Pediatrics can be reached at (706) 868-0389. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.
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