SPECIAL SECTION: OUTDOOR & GARDEN
OUTDOOR IMAGININGS
Getting the kids outside for imaginative play is not just great fun – it’ s incredibly beneficial for their growth and development.
BY KIM GILLAN
MINISERIES / GETTYIMAGES. COM. AU
If you want to increase your children’ s chance of a happy, healthy life, then starting with plenty of outdoor play is a good idea. More outdoor time is linked with improved motor development, better eyesight and lower obesity risk, not to mention the fact that it’ s wonderful fun.“ When you play outside, you get to [ make ] really big movements like running, jumping, kicking and throwing – you can really throw yourself around in a way that you can’ t often do indoors,” says Derek McCormack, director of the Raising Children Network.“ The outdoor environment is also great for helping kids – and adults – relax. It helps you feel calm and that’ s good for your mental health and wellbeing.”
On top of that, different outdoor spaces provide fresh opportunities for kids to play imaginatively.“ We use our imagination to solve problems and think laterally in later life,” McCormack says.“ It’ s really important and much more than just a‘ nice to have’.”
Like many of us adults, a lot of modern kids are entranced by screens, so McCormack says it’ s important for parents to plan for outdoor play to strike the right lifestyle balance.“ The lure of screens is quite strong, so [ regular outdoor play ] requires a bit of extra focus. If you really want to get the right mix [ of activities ] then plan for it.” >
COSTCO CONNECTION MAY / JUN 2024 | 35