Contributor Post When it comes to instilling the importance of health into our kids, most of us are all about getting them to spend more time outside. There’s no getting around the fact that we live in an age where outside time for our littles tends to be a rarity. When I was a kid, I couldn’t WAIT to get outside to play every day! Playing outside meant spending time with my best neighborhood friends. Growing up in the middle of 6 neighborhood boys meant tackle everything, snowballs to the face, and so many more painfully awesome memories. Of course, there were my favorite girls down the street who would join me at least once a week in visiting our elderly neighbor, Opal. Sweet old Opal would fill us up on sugar and send us on our way after about an hour of talking her leg off. We sure didn’t know how many great memories we were making.
Getting outside was a HUGE thing for us “old folks”. How else were you going to get any entertainment? Now, with consoles and television channels galore, there are plenty of ways for kids to keep themselves busy inside the house. That’s good news in the winter time, but it does pose some health risks. (If you’re one of my third grade students, you would know that Mrs. Pennington thinks video games rot brains).
For obvious reasons, sitting indoors is no way to live a healthy lifestyle for anyone really, but especially our small people. Hence why so many parents put in place restrictions and force their kids to get out to play now and again. If they’re outside, they must be doing something good for their health, right? (Even if they’re like I was—bouncing from a roof top to a trampoline. No one tell my mom).
On the surface, yes. Getting outside is undeniably better than locking themselves in their rooms. Still, encouraging your kids out without thought every day doesn’t mean that time will be good for them. To make sure of that, you must consider the following.
What they do
Any outdoor experience is a good one. Fresh air can cure much of what ails us for sure. But if your kid is headed outside with the tablet connected to his or her face—it’s kind of defeating the purpose. To make sure outdoor time makes a real difference, ensure your kids are doing something to feel the benefits. Playing sports outdoors is always beneficial, as are games which require them to run. Buy them sports equipmentto encourage this, or get out and get involved if you’re worried. As easy as that, the benefits of those outdoor sessions could more than double.
What they wear
It’s also worth considering what your kids wear when they get outside. If they’re embarking on the activities mentioned above, make sure they’re wearing safety gear. For sports, this could involve shin pads and mouth guards. Even if they’re out on their bike or scooter, you should probably protect those noggins with helmets and elbow pads. A fall here could get nasty, and cracks in pavements make these fairly common. While you can contact a lawyer if your child receives an injury due to uneven sidewalks, you can avoid this altogether. I know. Crazy world we’re livin’ in. But kids’ safety is a big deal.
How long they’re outside
It’s also worth considering the length of time your kids spend outside. While even brief bits of time are better than nothing, a few minutes here or there probably won’t make much of a difference. To feel the real rewards of their efforts here, they should aim to spend at least half an hour outside at a time. Besides, the longer they’re outside—the longer the house stays clean, right?!
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