Your children are home from school. They’re out on the wooden swing set in your backyard, or engaged in some sort of outdoor play.
The school day may be done, but in a way, they’re still in the classroom. That’s because spending time outdoors helps them learn and grow.
“Green environments are an essential component of a healthy human habitat,”: says Dr. Frances Ming Kuo, an internationally-recognized expert in the relationship between nature and human health.
She uses the term “Vitamin G” (as in “green”) to illustrate how important it is to spend time outdoors. Just like vitamins A or D (which you also get from spending time outside), being in nature is something we need in regular doses.
North Carolina State University’s Natural Learning Initiative lists some of the benefits of connecting your child to nature:
1. It supports problem solving and creativity
Studies have shown that children in schoolyards found more creative versions of outdoor play when they were in green areas, and were better at cooperating with each other. Being in nature helps children develop their problem-solving skills and stimulates their intellect and creativity.
2. They’ll develop stronger cognitive and academic abilities
Spending time outside can turn your child into a better student. Being in nature improves their cognitive abilities, but studies have drawn specific connections between learning in the outdoors and gains in social studies, math, science and language arts. Findings by the American Institute of Research showed that students in outdoor science programs improved their test scores by 27 percent.
3. Outdoor play reduces the symptoms of ADD
A connection to nature can reduce symptoms of attention deficit disorder in children as young as five. And children who spend time playing outdoors are of course more physically active, but also more civil toward each other.
4. Spending time outside leads to better nutrition
Studies have found that children who learn outdoors are more aware of what constitutes nutritious foods. This is especially true of kids who grow food on their own: they’re more likely to know about nutrition and to eat fruits and vegetables and to continue eating healthy as they get older. (Is there room for a vegetable garden near your wooden swing sets?)
5. Outdoor play is good for the eyes, and for the soul
There is a connection between spending time outdoors and reduced rates of nearsightedness in children and teenagers, the American Academy of Ophthalmology found in 2011.
And outdoor play can build friendships. Kids will be better able to get along with each other when they have regular opportunities for free, unstructured play outdoors.
6. More self-discipline, less stress
Kids with access to green spaces such as forests, parks and gardens – or even access to a view of those spaces – show more self-control and feel less stress. The greener the places, the less stress children feel.
Do you want your kids to spend more time outdoors? Let us help you give them a reason. For more than 30 years, Swingset & Toy Warehouse has helped children become more active.
Visit our website to shop for vinyl and wooden swing sets, basketball hoops and trampolines, or stop by one of our four locations. We’d be happy to hear from you, and to help your children get some more Vitamin G in their diet.
