July 2018

Kid’s favorite season is summer. There is lots of sunshine and great weather. They are off school and spend lots of time at home. Have you ever wondered why they have a long summer break? It was not always so. Prior to the 1900’s many schools had a summer term. But kids also had longer breaks each season to help with their family farm. The 1900’s brought mandatory school for children and thus bigger schools to serve all the kids who were not attending before. Large school buildings were hot and stifling in the summer. Improved transportation and a growing middle class meant more people could travel for vacation during the nice weather. These and other factors lead to the trend of a long summer break. School break is a necessary part of child development as it provides time for them to develop skills other than academics.



Take this opportunity to spend time outside with your family. Encourage your kids to play outside often. Make them spend at least a couple of hours outdoors regularly if you must. It is vital for their health and development. According to Leslie Kay, Mental Health Counselor at Southern Adventist University, “Spending time outdoors is necessary for the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and healthy development of kids. I don't think they can successfully complete their developmental tasks or be balanced without it.”



The piling evidence behind her pronouncement is overwhelming. Many respected agencies and publications recommend the necessity of outdoor time for children. The American Psychology Association mentions the benefits of nature include reduced stress, better physical health, greater creativity and improved concentration.1 The National Institute of Health of the U.S. points to research that suggests children who have limited experience in nature have long-term developmental consequences.2 The Washington Post has often reported the benefits of nature for children including boosting concentration and replenishing the mind.3 The Signs of The Times published an article titled “Get Your Kids Moving” which pointed out how time outside naturally encourages exercise.4 So, set a goal for your family this summer such as to watch more sunsets than TV sets.



Your children do not need to be knee deep in mud to be considered outside. Playing on the porch, in the driveway or out in the woods all count. The more settings they can try the better. It is imperative that you give them opportunities to play outside as their parent or guardian. Organized sports or school P.E. class can be stressful and may discourage some children’s natural desire to be active. These forms of activity are not inappropriate. But being active with family tends to place less pressures on children to perform a certain way. The more outlets and choices you can expose children too the more likely they will find a way to enjoy the outdoors.



Of course, being outside can potentially be unsafe. Once kids know what threats are present and how to avoid and deal with them they will be very safe outside. Whether your child is in a national park or just playing in the back yard they need to be taught safety. Who better to teach them than their parents? Kids can learn basic safety measures like wearing sunscreen and staying hydrated. They need to learn how to avoid injury from plants and animals such as poison ivy, ants, and bees. The old saying, “leaves of three, let it be” will help them avoid poison ivy. There are many predatory animals that can present a problem. But wild animals are very good at avoiding humans and rarely present a threat. Kids, and grownups too, can stay safe by keeping their distance. The best approach to a wild animal encounter is to keep well away. If the animal seems threatening, back away slowly while facing the animal. Most wild animal injuries are due to people getting too close to animals rather than the animals coming after people.



It is especially useful to know how to avoid getting lost outside. Here are some straightforward guidelines to teach your children about staying found: Always tell someone where they are going, even if going into the woods to play for a few minutes. If a kid ever realizes they are lost, they should stop and stay put. Searchers find kids more quickly when they stay put. Teach them to pray when they realize they’re lost. To avoid getting lost when on a hike, kids should stop whenever the trail splits and wait for the rest of the group. If you feel underqualified to teach your kids outdoor safety, find someone who is qualified and learn along with your kids!



There are many options for spending time together as a family. Whatever you plan do with your kids in the summer is up to you. Ensure that some of that time is spent outside. Make it a habit to spend time together every summer. Safeguard your family time, after all, you only get 18 summers with them as children!







References:

1 Amy Novotney. “Getting back to the great outdoors” (March 2008). Monitor. 2008;39(3):52. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/03/outdoors.aspx.

2 Susan Strife and Liam Downey. “Childhood Development and Access to Nature: A New Direction for Environmental Inequality Research.” Organization & Environment. 2009;22(1):99-122. doi:10.1177/1086026609333340. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3162362/.

3 Shannon Brescher Shea. “How gardening can help build healthier, happier kids.” The Washington Post. 28 July, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/on-parenting/how-gardening-can-help-build-healthier-happier-kids/2017/07/17/d9047164-6599-11e7-8eb5-cbccc2e7bfbf_story.html.

4 Andrew Cate. “Get Your Kids Moving.” Signs of the Times. 2010;137(12). http://www.signstimes.com/?p=article&a=44150414400.692.