As parents think back to their own childhood days, many remember having hours to stay outdoors making up games, running, climbing and creating imaginary lands. Nowadays, children get about half the unstructured playtime outdoors that today’s adults got as youngsters.
Time to play, free of organization and rules set by adults, is important to developing children’s minds and bodies. Playing outdoors is an important component of overall health. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports daily physical activity has a positive long-term effect on children’s physical and emotional well-being. Children who get regular exercise are also better able to focus on tasks and challenges presented to them.
Keeping children protected is a parent’s first concern. You can provide supervision to assure safety, without directing your child’s play. Children need freedom to explore in an environment that is safe and age-appropriate. The outdoor play environment may be a playground, a community park or your own backyard. Safety factors to keep in mind are barriers to keep children from streets, space that is free of debris, the ability to visually supervise at all times and adequate shade.
Ultraviolet rays are strongest and most harmful during midday; just a few serious sunburns can increase a child’s risk of skin cancer later in life. Protect your child’s skin by using sunscreen and finding shady places to play.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remind parents that sunscreen is not meant to allow your children to spend more time in the sun than they would otherwise. Sunscreen reduces damage from UV radiation, it does not eliminate it. Clothing that covers your child’s skin isn’t practical, but long shorts, a T-shirt and a wide brimmed hat are wise to use in addition to sunscreen. Hats that shade the face, ears and neck are easy to use and give great protection. Also, protective sunglasses are recommended for all children playing outdoors.
Babies are especially susceptible to sunburn. Keep your baby’s skin covered with light clothing and provide plenty of shade. Beach umbrellas can be used to make good temporary shade. A baby’s best defense from sunburn is avoiding the sun.
Be sure your child is well hydrated. By the time children feel thirsty, they are getting dehydrated; offer water every 10 to 15 minutes. Water should be available at all times.
Outdoor activities do not have to be complex or costly.
Infants benefit from time outdoors; they enjoy a ride in the stroller or infant swing, but they should have activities that promote gross motor skills, such as crawling. Placing a blanket or sheet on a shady area of the yard makes a good place for babies to move. Give your baby a nature tour by carrying him to touch and see the amazing array of colors and textures nature offers. Your baby will develop core strength and balance while you carry him in your arms or on your hip.
Filling and dumping small pails or containers is an enjoyable activity for toddlers. Turning the garden hose on low and allowing your little one to fill containers is satisfying play.
As toddlers develop a sense of themselves as people separate from their parents, they normally assert some independence. Parents can give appropriate choices that promote competence in very young children. Two-year-olds want to explore big spaces. When you know it’s safe, allow your little one to investigate open spaces by following watchfully behind.
An area where young children can dig and mix water with sand and dirt provides many opportunities for learning.
Preschoolers often enjoy playing with small toys in sand, water or mud. A quiet afternoon activity for your preschooler can be as simple as a dishpan of water, stones and an assortment of animals.
The most incredible days when I was teaching preschool were during summers, when our classroom was a large play yard with many kinds of trees, shrubs, access to water and a very large sandbox. As I observed and supervised, I saw the quality of play take on new dimensions; the children focused on projects of their own for hours at a time. Hats and sunscreen were mandatory and children were encouraged to drink a few ounces of water every 10 minutes.
As a young mother, I spent happy summers tending a large garden with my children. They were free to dig, wander and explore within our yard. They planted their own garden and snacked on raspberries and snap peas. Family walks in Missoula’s Pattee Canyon and Rattlesnake recreation areas are part of their childhood memories.
Allowing time and creating space for play is a tremendous gift you can give your children. While staying close, observing and making sure your children are safe, you can start your little ones in a lifelong relationship with nature.
Each month the Missoulian Health page features a column by the Healthy Start Council of the Missoula Forum for Children and Youth, a coalition of groups and individuals working collaboratively to help Missoula’s kids grow up to be healthy and resilient. Missoula Head Start is a founding member of the Healthy Start Council. Head Start provides free preschool for qualified low-income children. Linn Claire Veen is an early childhood professional with the Home Start program, which provides a preschool experience for families in the home. Linn is also a parent educator and parent coach. She can be reached at 728-5460 or linn.veen@childstartinc.net.
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