I wonder how many of us remember hearing the words “go outside and play” when we were children. I remember my mother's exact words: “Fresh air is good for you, go outside and play.”
She didn't have to tell me twice; I wanted to be outside because everyone else in the neighborhood was outside too. We played for hours in the woods, in the yard and on the playground; we were everywhere #- barely taking the time to come in for lunch or to use the bathroom.
I also remember telling my two children, who are now 20 and 23 years old, the same thing (yes, I sometimes sounded like my mother). When they were growing up, they were outside every waking moment, playing “run around the barn” (a game the neighborhood kids made up), kick ball and hide-and-go-seek. They rode their bikes, colored our entire driveway with colored chalk and gave many “performances” for the adults; they even played flashlight tag at night and slept in tents in the backyard.
They didn't ask to watch TV, play video games or go on the computer; they were too tired when they came in from playing #- sometimes too tired to even take a bath (and boy, did they need baths).
As I travel through the neighborhood now, I don't see as many children outside playing.
Where have all the children gone?
It seems that many children are inside their houses, watching TV, playing video games or sitting in front of the computer. Is it because parents are afraid to have their children playing outside alone?
Is it because the kids are “addicted” to video games? Is it because “organized sports” have replaced child-initiated play? What toll is this phenomenon taking on our children?
We know that childhood obesity and asthma are on the rise.
Studies have shown that creativity is declining in young children and that more children are being diagnosed with ADHD than in previous years. Of course, we can't attribute everything to the lack of physical activities, but there is plenty of research that shows that we are becoming a sedentary society.
What should we do?
As concerned adults, we should start to “rethink” our ideas about what is best for children. Let's turn off all the “screens” in the house (television, computers, video games) after school and on weekends. Let's go outside as a family. Let's go to the park, to the zoo or to the lake.
Why not bring “inside” activities outside; we can read on a quilt, build with blocks on the patio, take our dolls for a walk or paint in the driveway. The ideas are limitless, and best of all, don't cost a penny.
A great resource for families and educators is www.voiceofplay.com.
The Web site provides great information about the value of playing outdoors, research and resources.
You can even participate in the “Play Pledge” program and pledge that your child will receive at least one hour of outdoor play per day.
Patricia Gridley, Ph.D., is an associate professor and the coordinator of the Early Childhood program at Cayuga Community College.
I also remember telling my two children, who are now 20 and 23 years old, the same thing (yes, I sometimes sounded like my mother). When they were growing up, they were outside every waking moment, playing “run around the barn” (a game the neighborhood kids made up), kick ball and hide-and-go-seek. They rode their bikes, colored our entire driveway with colored chalk and gave many “performances” for the adults; they even played flashlight tag at night and slept in tents in the backyard.
They didn't ask to watch TV, play video games or go on the computer; they were too tired when they came in from playing #- sometimes too tired to even take a bath (and boy, did they need baths).
As I travel through the neighborhood now, I don't see as many children outside playing.
Where have all the children gone?
It seems that many children are inside their houses, watching TV, playing video games or sitting in front of the computer. Is it because parents are afraid to have their children playing outside alone?
Is it because the kids are “addicted” to video games? Is it because “organized sports” have replaced child-initiated play? What toll is this phenomenon taking on our children?
We know that childhood obesity and asthma are on the rise.
Studies have shown that creativity is declining in young children and that more children are being diagnosed with ADHD than in previous years. Of course, we can't attribute everything to the lack of physical activities, but there is plenty of research that shows that we are becoming a sedentary society.
What should we do?
As concerned adults, we should start to “rethink” our ideas about what is best for children. Let's turn off all the “screens” in the house (television, computers, video games) after school and on weekends. Let's go outside as a family. Let's go to the park, to the zoo or to the lake.
Why not bring “inside” activities outside; we can read on a quilt, build with blocks on the patio, take our dolls for a walk or paint in the driveway. The ideas are limitless, and best of all, don't cost a penny.
A great resource for families and educators is www.voiceofplay.com.
The Web site provides great information about the value of playing outdoors, research and resources.
You can even participate in the “Play Pledge” program and pledge that your child will receive at least one hour of outdoor play per day.
Patricia Gridley, Ph.D., is an associate professor and the coordinator of the Early Childhood program at Cayuga Community College.
The Citizens' Say
There are 1 comment(s)
teacher1 wrote on May 9, 2008 2:11 PM: