Posted Oct 20, 2023

It’s not your fault, but it is your problem. Researchers say kids spend an average of 30 hours each week watching TV or computer screens. As a consequence, childhood obesity has skyrocketed. The sedimentary nature plus all the junk food is slowly killing the ones you love. It’s not just weight, but cardiovascular disease, stress, sleep issues and more.

Kids desperately need unstructured, imaginative, exploratory play. Yes, you have them involved in soccer, baseball, football, ballet, etc.... but that isn’t play. Unstructured play is increasingly recognized as an essential component of wholesome child development. This kind of play not only exercises their body in a tremendous variety of ways, but also stretches the mind. Even something as simple as hide & seek, tag or just riding your bike is powerful.

As adults, when someone mentions “stress”, we assume that it only refers to adults. But often kids are under even more stress! Stress from school assignments, friendships and bullies, getting along with brothers and sisters, and not really feeling like you have much control over most of your world. The world we are living in is full of stress which is directly linked to emotional and physical health issues.

TAKE THE GREEN PILL!

Get outside and into nature, daily if possible. Research has shown that being in the natural world has proven health benefits for all ages. It’s more than just sending the kids outside. They need to see you valuing the connection to the natural world. They need to see you being wondrous about the beauty of brilliant fall leaves.

Feel the cool earth under bare feet. Being barefoot and hands on the ground actually pulls free-radicals out of your body which will improve your health. When was the last time you were barefoot outside other than the beach?

Winter will be here soon. Don’t dread it! Learn to dress for it and take the kids for a walk in the freshly fallen snow. Feel the flakes on your tongue. We are living in a wonderland of incredible seasons.

My dad hated winter. He finally moved to Texas and thought I would also move there. But I learned to dress for the seasons and relish the wonderful variety. Having animals on the farm forces me to go out to feed them every morning. There are days I’m not thrilled – pouring rain, driving snow. But once I get with the animals, my mood changes. Some days I just sit with them and they gather around for attention – even the hens and roosters. I wouldn’t trade that connection for any fancy resort. Everyday I am outside, connecting with that day’s gift.

Don’t miss a chance to model for your kids what it means to be connected to the “real” world, not the digital version. Check out the website – 1000HoursOutside.com. It will challenge you to walk away from the screens and hold hands as you walk out the door!

That’s what good play is all about.

No directions, nobody telling you that
“you can’t do it that way”.

It’s pure discovery!