make their own plan. They need to cooperate with perform better. It’s not rocket science. In other studies,
others to follow the rules to their own kid-made games. it’s reported that children who play more outside get a
They need the freedom to adapt rules to their current better night’s sleep. A well-rested child is better able to
situation and then evaluate whether or not their plan focus attention and “get into” lessons in class. Children
worked. All of these skills are strengthened when kids who get enough chances for active play feel more
are allowed to play outside independently. content and happy. Happier kids have lower levels of
3. Active vs. Sedentary Play
We all know the statistics on the overall health of
stress which produces better classroom performance.
6. Self-reliance Through Exploration
today’s kids. Too many are overweight and unfit. Too We like it when our children are able to follow
many are lethargic and uninspired. In short, many of directions—when they’re “coachable,” and that is
our kids don’t move enough to be happy and healthy. an important skill. But it’s also important for kids to
But knowing isn’t the same as doing. Parents need to learn how to operate via their own internal rules and
push through a bit of resistance and insist that our understandings. Children benefit when they’re able to
children go outside whether it’s for time in their own manage their own behaviors based on their convictions,
backyard or access to a larger natural environment. when they can make a plan and follow it through.
While parks can offer some of the necessary ingredients When they can try and fail and try again to accomplish
to healthier play, wilder natural environments such as a task. All of these skills can only be practiced when kids
hiking trails or woodlands are even better. Nothing have the chance to engage in unstructured play free of
inspires kids to build forts and create their own games adult supervision and oversight. It may be hard to break
more than an untouched-by-man setting.
4. Room for Wonder and Joy
Watching spiders spin a web. Catching grasshoppers
in a jar. Hearing birds sing in the trees and seeing
them drop bits of food into the open beaks of their
hatchlings. Wandering a beach, picking up beautiful
shells or bits of driftwood, smelling the scent of grasses
on a warm summer day. We all need opportunities to
absorb the wonder of nature and to experience the
joy of being part of the natural world. Give your kids
the chance to do these simple things. They’ll benefit
immensely.
5. Better Classroom Performance
Some schools are experimenting with longer recesses
and more frequent breaks in their school day and every
one of them reports better behavior and engagement
in the classroom. When kids are given enough time
to move and play, they’re better able to focus their
attention on classroom work. They feel better, they
F L A G L E R parent M A G A Z I N E | 11