Radio Commentary
It’s hard to believe it has come to this, but childhood is no longer synonymous with outdoor play.
Children are spending an average of 45 hours a week in front of a screen – televisions, computers, computer games. They are not spending time outdoors.
Children know how to build websites at a very early age, but not necessarily forts or tree houses.
Nature is becoming something on a television channel, not something in their backyard.
Research has confirmed what our grandmothers always said: “Go play outside. It’s good for you.”
It turns out that nature is important to children’s development in every major way —intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically.
Playing in nature is especially important to help children increase their capacities for creativity, problem-solving, and intellectual development.
For children’s sake, parents need to be sure they play outdoors at least some of the time.
Leave No Child Inside is the name of a nationwide movement aiming to do just that, but parental encouragement is still the best way to reconnect kids with nature.
It’s an easy way to make a positive difference in children’s development in so many areas. Just send them outside in a safe area to play. They’ll figure out what to do.
