Introduction:

A keen observation made in this day and age is that kids don’t play outside as often anymore. With all the new gadgets coming out, it has become more and more difficult to get kids to put down the gadgets and play outside. Here’s why it’s healthy to let your kids play outside more.

Eyesight Improvement:

Children who play outside have less risk of developing “myopia,” also known as nearsightedness. This statement is based on a study published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. According to the researchers, the risk of myopia by two percent by each hour the kids spend outside per week.

Promotes Social Skills:

Kids that play outside and engage in unstructured play often develop a widespread of skills.

Examples of skill developed:

Learning how to take turns in playing with something

Learning social skills when playing with some people

Learning executive skills

Developing behavioral skills

Children who play outside are observed to have higher brain activity, especially when they start out at infancy, according to the University of Missouri-Kansas.. Based on the paper they wrote, outside play supports emotional, social and cognitive competencies in kids, this includes strengthening the development of language and communication between children who play together in the park.

Attention Span Increase:

It is estimated that 6.4 million children in the ages between 4-17 have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). According to studies from Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, green outdoor settings appear to reduce ADHD symptoms in children; this includes exposure to beaches, parks, and after-school settings.

Overall, it seems exposure to outdoor settings is enough to reduce symptoms of ADHD in children.

Stress Reduction:

Based on a research by the teachers of Maryland that teamed with the University of Colorado, children’s exposure to green outdoor levels can help lessen the stress levels by giving them an escape from their daily routine. In this particular study, it’s observed that children who play outside have more peace away from the stress that comes from life and their classroom environment.

Vitamin D Levels Increase:

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, vitamin D offers the body at least seven health benefits; such as, stronger bones, diabetes prevention, and reduced risk of heart disease. Aside from that, the Cleveland Clinic strongly urges that you and your children should receive a healthy dose of vitamin D at the earliest time possible.

There are vitamin D supplements available for consumption, but you can get it naturally from sunlight. If you allow your kids to spend a few minutes outside without sunblock, they can absorb it from the sun. However, if your child has extremely sensitive skin, then we do urge you to just increase their vitamin D intake through their food.

Sunblock is effective in blocking harmful UV rays, however, it also prevents the proper absorption of vitamin D into the body.

Nature Appreciation:

Allowing your children to play in the outdoors will give them a chance to appreciate their surroundings without the need to document everything. Starting them out on gadgets early isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however, when they are too dependent, they lose sight of the great things that nature has to offer.

If the children miss out on all the wonders of nature, they might not be able to understand what’s lost when these things disappear.

Increased Happiness with Better Immunity:

One really great reason you should let your children play outside, is because they will generally feel happier. Sunlight stimulates the pineal gland which helps boost your immune system and makes you feel happier.

Taking the time to sit with yourself and spend some time in nature will give you the mood booster you need to get through the day. Aside from that, exposing your children to nature will allow them appreciate their settings more.

Key Takeaways:

It’s so easy to leave the kids at home to their devices. As parents, it is your job to make sure that your children are healthy in all aspects. We understand that it’s difficult, which is why we compiled an article describing why it’s healthy to let your kids play outside more.