The Great Outdoors

July 17, 2007

Experts recommend that children get 60 minutes of physical activity a day. That's one hour a day, seven hours a week. But as children get older, they do not have the play time that we might remember as children. Recesses are being cut from schools and funding for community parks and outdoor play space for children has decreased. There are video games and other technological entertainment that seem to draw children inside and don't require a lot of physical activity to do. How can you encourage your child to get in that one hour a day?

As parents, you can introduce your children to the fun of the outdoors that you knew as a child. Talk about games you used to play in your backyard, at a friend's house, or at a city park. July has been recognized by the National Recreation and Parks Association as Recreation and Parks month. Take advantage of what your community has to offer and enjoy some time outdoors. As a family you can visit your local parks, find bike trails or hiking trails, even check to see if there are educational programs offered by local parks and recreation programs. The fresh air and time spent together will benefit everyone.

You can always spend some free, unstructured time outside. Remember, the outdoors has a great deal to offer children, more than just open space to play. There is so much to explore and learn from nature. By spending one hour a day outside, or a "green hour" as the National Wildlife Federation calls it, your child will be able to discover nature at her own pace. Your backyard can become a playground of learning. Just think of the adventure a local park would bring to your explorer! Your child can learn about the flowers, trees, and animals that live and grow in the same place she does. The NWF's website, www.greenhour.org, suggests that children who are able to spend time outside for one hour a day:

Encourage your child to share her discoveries with you. Talk about what she is learning from and about nature. While enjoying the outdoors together, you can create wonderful field trips and not even have to leave your neighborhood. Encourage your child to invite her friends to join you. For even more fun, wrap up the adventure with a family picnic. Take time this summer to enjoy the outdoors with your child.

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