Children have an instinct to explore and find out about things in their environment. They are always curious, and their imagination is a pure form of magic. But sadly, with the advancement of technology, it seems that their interests are getting locked up inside the computer screens as well.
To ensure the overall growth of your child, you must fan the curiosity inside him/her. Childhood should be a time of adventures and unforgettable memories that they can cherish for the rest of their lives.
Advancements in technology have made gratification possible with the touch of a few buttons. There are many aspects to the equation, but the part that has affected the trend of children playing outside, cannot be in good conscience, called advancement. A child should have well- rounded growth, and that’s not possible in the confines of his/her room.
Inside their rooms, the necessary physical and cognitive growth of the child is ignored. It depends a lot on them interacting with the outside environment.
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In this article, we will cover how children can benefit from playing outside and how it promotes and supports their growth. Let’s begin!
Vitamin D:
Vitamin D is the most essential element for your child. Being in the sunshine promotes the necessary bone strength and efficient working of the immune system. Prolonged exposure to the screen might lead to loss of vision whereas Vitamin D promotes good eyesight.
Fitness and core strength:
Engaging in physical play boosts a child’s fitness and stamina, and issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart problems, do not come near them. It also results in an active lifestyle approach later in their adulthood.
Motor skills:
Participating in any playful activity that involves the act of balancing, coordination or agility helps fine-tune your child’s gross and fine motor skills. For example, playing games that involve running, and moving their body, or even playing with toys such as children’s sports kits, or motorized vehicles for kids which they have to maneuver an open playground, boosts their cognitive capabilities. Engaging in such activities helps them develop their motor skills from an early age.
Social skills:
Your child can interact with other children outside to form friendships while developing social skills. It directly influences their communication and self-expression.
Creativity:
Children learn new things every day while interacting with their external environment. New experiences ignite the imagination and encourage the child to think outside their previous conceptions. They can exercise their imaginative powers with new adventures.
Mental and Emotional Well being:
As hard as it may be to believe, children experience stress and anxiety as well. Playing in nature can help them relieve emotional stress and fatigue. Children who play outside also exhibit fewer symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and can have increased attention span comparatively. The outdoor light also stimulates the pineal gland, which is responsible for better mood and happiness.
Sensory skills:
Children who remain inside and in front of screens interact on the level of two senses primarily, that is, sight & hearing. However, outside play experiences involve sensory involvement on multiple levels. Playing outside can engage their sense of smell, touch, sight, hearing, etc. which can build their sensory and perceptual skills positively.
Getting your kid to play outside
Motivating your kid from away from the temptation of the virtual world can be a tricky task. Here are some points on how to do that smoothly.
- First and foremost, if you want your kid to be out in the open, you have to start by setting an example yourself. Kids love to model behavior. Moreover, they are likely to follow in your footsteps if they see you involved. You can be gardening, painting a wall, or you can play games with them, such as hide and seek, catch, etc.
- You can gift them toys like football, baseball, bicycles, kids battery-powered cars, etc. which they can take outside and play. This way they can be in nature and develop the necessary skills for their cognitive and physical growth as well.
- Try to create exciting trips that involve more creative plays such as treasure hunt, theatre, camping, hiking, or a beach trip.
- It is natural for kids to ask questions when they’re outside. It’s a good idea to mix a little wonder and mystery in there as well to keep them engaged, along with the facts. This way, they’re more likely to remember the said information.
Conclusion
Childhood is a significant part of everyone’s life. The study of books is crucial, but the overall growth of the child involves spending time interacting with other children outside, in the real world. So, it is wise to motivate kids to play outside the house, not only so they can have balanced growth, but also so that they can make some magical memories.
Hey! This is Sachin. I love creating helpful content for everyone out there. On this website, my aim is to post articles that can help people buy perfect ride ons for their kids.
