It is quite likely that you can look back on your childhood and find fond memories of those days when you played outside for hours, until your parents forced you to come inside. The winter was perfect for outdoors because of the snow; the fall was perfect because of the leaves; the spring and summer were perfect because you could play whatever came your imagination devised! You may have grown up playing with other kids in your neighborhood, or with your siblings. And all the way until dark, you would play sports or play make believe with these siblings and friends.
Nowadays, however, it seems like many kids never set foot outdoors except to wait for the school bus in the mornings. And if they are not in school, they are usually either staring at a computer screen, or they are watching television and playing video games from the couch. Television, video games, and computers are fine, of course, but they should be used in moderation; after all, children who play outside are healthier, their minds are stronger, and they are less susceptible to childhood obesity. If you want your own children to begin playing outside, here are a few tips for you to try out on your own.
First of all, realize that children have a tendency to rebel when they are being told what to do; if you “force” your children to play outside, they are less likely to enjoy it. Instead, you should provide your children with opportunities to “discover” playing outdoors on their own. There are a couple ways by which this can be effectively accomplished: 1) Put a limit on how much “media time” they are allowed each day; 2) Take some time to play outside with them!
Your children will begin to naturally gravitate toward the outdoors as their computer, television, and video game time is limited each day. And your children will be drawn out of the house – and will be started on playing outside – when you go out there and play with them.
There are some children who will take to the outdoors quite naturally and automatically; but even if this is not the case with your children, do not despair – as you follow these tips, your children will begin to play outside more and more.
Nowadays, however, it seems like many kids never set foot outdoors except to wait for the school bus in the mornings. And if they are not in school, they are usually either staring at a computer screen, or they are watching television and playing video games from the couch. Television, video games, and computers are fine, of course, but they should be used in moderation; after all, children who play outside are healthier, their minds are stronger, and they are less susceptible to childhood obesity. If you want your own children to begin playing outside, here are a few tips for you to try out on your own.
First of all, realize that children have a tendency to rebel when they are being told what to do; if you “force” your children to play outside, they are less likely to enjoy it. Instead, you should provide your children with opportunities to “discover” playing outdoors on their own. There are a couple ways by which this can be effectively accomplished: 1) Put a limit on how much “media time” they are allowed each day; 2) Take some time to play outside with them!
Your children will begin to naturally gravitate toward the outdoors as their computer, television, and video game time is limited each day. And your children will be drawn out of the house – and will be started on playing outside – when you go out there and play with them.
There are some children who will take to the outdoors quite naturally and automatically; but even if this is not the case with your children, do not despair – as you follow these tips, your children will begin to play outside more and more.
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