Kids need the outdoors! (college, high school, football, homeschooled)

[Lije Baley]

This is not exactly a new article, but still think it's relevant (man I wish we could post short excerpts from articles!):

"Why Kids Need a Big Dose of Nature"

Experts give their opinions on why they think kids need more time outdoors, unstructured time, and that some believe that staying indoors so much could be contributing to the alarming numbers of children diagnosed with depression and ADHD.

I'll admit I am biased in this matter since I love being outdoors (and do not expect to everyone to suddenly convert to my lifestyle) but even before this news was made public, for years now I've worried that so many kids don't even go outside in their own neighborhoods anymore & are allowed to just sit and vegetate in their home in front of a computer, their cell phone or a game console. Call me an old fart if you want, but spending so much time with those inanimate objects is not healthy IMO and I am not just referring to their users' physical conditions.

[Sudcaro]

I'm not an outdoors person at all, but I want my daughter to grow up doing other things than watch TV or whatever. So we go out on a regular basis - she's just 11 months old, but I know she's happy when she's out there, and she needs to get used to the outdoors now, otherwise she may never enjoy it...

[StealthRabbit]

Outdoors Dairy Farm Boarding School ... Worked for me. No need to worry about attending sports and school events. 24x7 responsibilities. There are many still operating and have space (and work) for YOUR kid.

We homeschooled and lived in the boonies but our kids didn't enjoy the outdoors as I did at same eage. They still were out a lot, and they designed and built their own houses as Jr High kids (did college instead of High School). They liked the outdoor work until winter.... then you would find mom and dad helping with pouring concrete, roofing ... They each had 'recreational' outdoor jobs (ski / snowboard / climbing instructors / wildland firefighters / search and rescue...)

frequent 6-12 week homeschool field trips (almost always camping) and living on 3 different continents in several cultures was a big help to the kids.

[eling]

It also prevents nearsightedness or myopia in children.

[captain_hug99]

One of the best times when I took my Girl Scout troop camping was just letting them play near our camp. They made up games, created a fort, it was fantastic!

[Slinkygirl]

I know I'm coming across as very negative in my posts today but....

I am a big outdoors person and a huge advocate of environmental education and free play. I moved recently from an asphalt jungle to a rain forest. I wanted SO MUCH for it to be the answer. Hasn't provento be so yet (in my tiny sample)! I lean more towards media as the culprit in kids' learning and behavior issues. Mind you, I still think exposure to nature is essential and great for everyone! But darnit, more ADHD etc than ever.

[mash potato]

Originally Posted by Lije Baley

for years now I've worried that so many kids don't even go outside in their own neighborhoods anymore .

I never stopped to wonder where all the kids are. You're right, they're not outside anymore! As kids, we were outside constantly! Playing football, tag, riding bikes, walking around the neighborhood. We interacted with each other. I guess today's kids interact with machines.

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by eling

It also prevents nearsightedness or myopia in children.

So incorrect!

[sll3454]

Originally Posted by Pitt Chick

So incorrect!

It's an interesting question.
Medical Detectives Focus On Myopia : NPR

[Pitt Chick]

Yes, and it is being studied.
But stating that playing outdoors "prevents nearsightedness or myopia in children" is still incorrect.

I know plenty of kids (now adults!) who spent hours outside everyday who are nearsighted. Same with when I worked as an optician.