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Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Wednesday 5 January 2011
Categories: Extra curricular, Health, Parenting, Personal Safety
In a recent mumsnet survey about pressures on children today, 78% of respondents expressed their concern that children today don’t play outside enough. We all recognise the value of fresh air and exercise, so what do parents do if they see their children spending a vast amount of their leisure time virtually immobile in front of a television, computer screen or games console?
Think about the recent snow, and whether you encouraged your children to take advantage of the opportunity to play in it – and in fact whether you joined in the fun. Walking in the snow, sledging, building snowmen and engaging in battles with snowballs can be wonderful family activities. Will your daughter join you in walking the dog, and can you persuade her that activities outdoors with family and friends can be highly enjoyable? Would you consider a summer family activity holiday as a refreshing change – or even just an occasional weekend at somewhere like Center Parcs where you can combine activity and relaxation?
When discussing the subject of outdoor play, the issue of safety (road safety and child protection) inevitably rears its head, but for younger children gardens can usually be made safe and secure, and family trips to the nearest park or play area aren’t hard to arrange if you decide to devote time to them. Older children may be less likely to ‘play out’ than their parents’ generation were, and we may be far more aware of possible dangers now, and more risk-averse, than was the case twenty or thirty years ago. But a commitment to ensuring our children have the opportunity for fresh air, exercise, and enjoyable outdoor activity is still possible. We can always hope for snow…..
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We have started a project called ‘Playing Out’ where people can close their streets for a few hours after school for children to play out. If you are interested have a look at: www.playingout.net. We feel it is especially valuable to girls to be able to play outside where they can feel a certain sense of security from being close to home, whilst also starting to gain independence.