Children who play together, learn together, and teach each other how to develop successful interpersonal skills will be much better off later in life.  But, how can you ensure that happens?

The answer is not, “go out and buy the latest IQ toy.”

But, instead, you should give your children the space to grow!  When left to their own devices, children actually outperform the expectations of their parents and educators.  Providing a safe a supervised outdoor area for kids to play team sports like soccer, quoites, kick ball, croquet, bocce ball and football, your children will create teams and learn from the following social interactions.  Gracious winning and losing is not often learned from a coaching parent, but by the social growth that groups of youngsters create by working together.

Playing outdoor sports together lets children learn how to deal and play with a variety of personality types will be less likely to get in fights in high school and more willing to explore new places and ideas. And if you don’t have a horse shoe set, don’t fret.  Many outdoor games are incredibly inexpensive, and even if that’s not in your budget this year… kids can make a game out of almost anything.

It’s the outdoor space, more than any equipment, which kids need to learn through playing.   But more than just teamwork, giving your children their own space to take care of will give them a sense of ownership that fosters responsibility.

Whether this is their own playhouse or simply a section of the garden with a garden bench, explain that they are responsible for taking care of their little bit of earth.

Teach them to weed and take care of their section of garden or plant flowers in the playhouse’s flower boxes.  Learning to cultivate nature will teach them that they are responsible for taking care of the environment and that their hard work produces beautiful things.

Learning this kind of responsibility will not only be good for their work ethic and behavior, it will also instill a love and accountability for the environment.  Just think, if coming generations know that taking care of the earth is an important responsibility… maybe our fragile planet isn’t doomed.

Outdoor spaces foster teamwork and teach responsibility, without need a lot of coaching.  Provide safe and fun places for children to enjoy the outdoors, and you’ll be amazed at the results!

If you thought you were shopping around for outdoor furniture, patio dining sets, or even a gazebo for yourself… you might be missing an important factor.  Studies show that your children need more time outside than the majority of them are getting.  If you’re saying, “I know that… but they have this X-box 360 I can’t seem to conquer!” perhaps you should consider this:  give your children a place to play outside and they probably will!

1. Nature Deficit Disorder:  Recent studies have shown that children not exposed to the outdoors enough are suffering from a specific series of concerns.  Most likely fueled by a more media-centered society and parents fearing that their children will be less safe outside… many effected children are suffering from a marked lack in creativity, anxiety and depression, attention deficit problems, and long-term inabilities to cope with stress.  And, of course, it goes without saying that these children are also much more likely to suffer from childhood obesity; a condition that will undoubtedly affect them for the rest of their lives.  Luckily, this is a problem that can be easily fixed.  If you have a mandatory amount of time your child is required to spend reading, doing homework, or even working on chores… consider extending this to spending time outdoors.  Even if it’s not playing, doing homework on a porch swing or at a picnic table instead of at their desk will do wonders.  They will be more aware of what is going on around them and better able to evaluate a variety of senses at one time.  Being outside offers changing stimuli, unlike the constant décor of their bedroom, and the more time children spend outdoors, the more time they will yearn for the fresh smell of the open air. And remember, children build their immune systems as they’re developing.  Kids that are kept away from any sort of dirt and germs will be unable to cope with them as they grow older.  Studies show that adults that spent more time outside as children were less likely to suffer from allergies.
2. Exercise… both mentally and physically:  It’s clear that children are getting less exercise with every generation.  Not only does this lead to a lot of pent-up energy, it leads to a long list of health concerns.  But, children are little balls of activity, and giving them a place outside to expend that is good for them.  Climbing trees, swinging on monkey bars, running, and jumping are all great for their health.  A few minor bumps and bruises may occur, but this is a natural part of being a kid!  Youngsters have an innate need to be active, it’s the constant push from the media encouraging docile sit-in-front-of-the-screen behavior that turns them off of it.  The earlier you foster their love for wind blowing in their face as they sprint after a little brother, the more they will love it as they grow older. But, the physical exercise is not where the importance stops.  Playtime outside will cause your children to develop their own story lines, create their own games, and pretend an old, scary witch is plotting great destruction from that rocking chair, or a far-away princess is sleeping on the chaise lounge.  Let your child’s mind deviate from the plot lines of their video games, the characters on their cartoons, and even the lessons in their schools—let their brains develop correctly by entertaining their active imaginations!
3. Foster team work:  Children who play together, learn together, and teach each other how to develop successful interpersonal skills will be much better off later in life.  If children are constantly left to their own devices to make afternoons fun and full of laughter… they’ll find a way to make sure everyone is involved because, it’s true, “the more the merrier.”  Say goodbye to phrases like, “does not play well with others.”  Through pre-determined team sports like soccer, quoits, kick ball, croquet, bocce ball, and football… your children will learn the value of team work, as well as gracious winning and losing.  Youngsters who learn how to deal and play with a variety of personality types will be less likely to get in fights in high school and more willing to explore new places and ideas. And if you don’t have a horse shoe set, don’t fret.  Many outdoor games are incredibly inexpensive, and even if that’s not in your budget this year… kids can make a game out of almost anything.
4. Learn responsibility:  Giving your children their own space to take care of will give them a sense of ownership that fosters responsibility.  Whether this is their own playhouse or simply a section of the garden with a garden bench, explain that they are responsible for taking care of their little bit of earth.  Teach them to weed and take care of their section of garden or plant flowers in the playhouse’s flower boxes.  Learning to cultivate nature will teach them that they are responsible for taking care of the environment and that their hard work produces beautiful things.  Learning this kind of responsibility will not only be good for their work ethic and behavior, it will also instill a love and accountability for the environment.  Just think, if coming generations know that taking care of the earth is an important responsibility… maybe our fragile planet isn’t doomed.
5. Get selfish; make time for yourself:  Do you often feel like you can’t think over the blaring television?  Do you wish you could get on the family computer to read this blog, but your daughter is too busy playing an online video game? Are you constantly trying to find some way to have a few moments to yourself?  Fostering a love of the outdoors in your children will do just that.  Imagine your kids walking home from school, dropping their book bags at the door, and racing outside to their playhouse, or even just to their section of the yard or garden.  Picking up a soccer ball on their way, you’ll be free to do the things you need to do.  Or, of course, to sit back in your Adirondack chair or porch glider and watch your children run, jump, play, and laugh their way to better holistic health!

See you (and your kids!) outside!

Hazel

Exhausted after a long day of playing!