Outside Play: No Child Left Inside

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Outside play: No child left inside By Peggy Small-Porter January 15, 2008 6:00 AM

We are all winding down from a season of family gatherings and stuffed tummies to find ourselves in the midst of winter.

The excitement of the holidays is behind us and as we ease back into our cold-weather routines children are likely bursting with energy. So, what do you do with all of that energy? I ask, "Why not go outside?"

Although most of us adults have childhood memories of carefree days spent playing outdoors — splashing in puddles, making mud pies, jumping in piles of leaves, building snowmen — today's overscheduled families are not spending time exploring, discovering and experimenting with the treasures found in the natural world.

Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods," brings together a new and growing body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults. A primary symptom of what he termed "nature deficit disorder" is the replacement of the time in the back yard with time sitting in front of a screen. Indeed, a Kaiser Family Foundation study found that the average American child spends 44 hours per week (more than six hours a day!) staring at some kind of electronic screen. Studies have linked excessive television viewing to obesity, depression, aggression, and even lower intelligence. Now, a growing wave of research indicates that children who spend time outdoors are healthier, overall, than their indoor counterparts.

Children who regularly spend unstructured time outside:

 Play more creatively  Have lower stress levels  Have more active imaginations  Become more active and fitter  Develop stronger immune systems  Experience fewer symptoms of ADD and ADHD  Have greater respect for themselves, for others, and for the environment

Policy-makers from states around the country are convinced by the research and are joining a movement called No Child Left Inside, which promotes more outdoor learning time for school children. Conservation organizations, communities, teachers and individuals are working in concert to develop programs and initiatives that will reconnect children (and their parents) with nature.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) recommends that parents give their kids a "Green Hour" every day, a bit of time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. This can take place in a garden, a back yard, the park down the street, or any place that provides safe and accessible outdoor spaces where children can learn and play.

To give parents and care givers information, tools, and inspiration to get their children — and themselves — outside, NWF has created www.greenhour.org, a family-friendly Web site that hosts a supportive virtual community where families can learn, explore, and share their experiences. The Green Hour Web site provides lots of ideas for backyard adventures and outdoor exploration, which can be adapted for different ages, experience levels and learning styles. And for the absolute worst of weather, it recommends books, kid-friendly recipes, crafts, and tactile activities, all on relevant natural and seasonal themes.

I know — why would I encourage outdoor play during one of the snowiest winters on record? When dressing your toddler in a snowsuit and all the accessories is an aerobic workout for you? When 15 minutes later your child is cold, she needs the toilet, or he is crying because some snow melted down into his boots?

Because whether you make snow angels or snowballs, tug on a low branch to make the snow fall from above, follow animal tracks, slide down a small snow bank, or feel the snowflakes fall on your face, that 15 minutes of experiencing the snow together will not only instill curiosity and promote learning for your child but also reignite the wonder of everyday moments for you.

So just head outside, take a walk, look around and breathe in the fresh air. Take a thermos of well-earned hot chocolate and a camera — you won't be sorry.

For a list of more than 40 places in the greater Seacoast area where you can go for an easy scenic walk, check out http://seacoastnh.com/Travel/Scenic_Walks or www.stepitupseacoast.org/ .

If you would like more structured guidance to explore the out of doors with your child, the Seacoast has many programs — a few of which are listed below:

 Pat Ritter has been teaching preschoolers for more than 30 years. The founder of Nature's Wonders in Rye, she enjoys sharing the natural world with young children and their families. Contact Pat at [email protected] or 436-6756.  The Great Bay Discovery Center in Greenland hosts a variety of education programs throughout the year, designed to teach visitors about the unique natural and cultural resources of Great Bay. www.greatbay.org  The Seacoast Science Center located in Odiorne Point State Park in Rye is a destination for families and students to learn about coastal environment and its history. www.secoastsciencecenter.org. Peggy Small-Porter is the executive director at the Richie McFarland Children's Center in Stratham. Visit www.richiemcfarland.org or e-mail at [email protected]. Seacoast Newspapers and RMCC provide this column as a public service.