The Hub July 2015 | Page 6

Windsor Essex County Health Unit Risky play: balancing the benefits and safety Think back to your favourite childhood memories – do they include exploring the woods, playing in giant snow piles or riding your bicycle around the neighbourhood with friends? Stepping outside and spending time in nature is good for everyone - it helps us connect to the world around us, it reduces stress and anxiety and it’s important for our well-being. It’s no surprise that outdoor play has many benefits for children and that it plays a key role in healthy growth and development. However, wanting to protect children from injury and harm has resulted in more indoor time, and outdoor time that is limited in challenging experiences and over-supervised by parents and caregivers. In response to this trend, ParticipACTION has focused their 2015 report on balancing the risks and benefits of active outdoor play. The report, called “The Biggest Risk is Keeping Kids Indoors” makes it clear that risky play is not about putting children in dangerous environments, such as skating on a half-frozen lake. Rather, risky play is about experiences that are thrilling and exciting, where kids can test their strengths and limits. Why is risky play important? With some freedom and risk taking, kids play harder and longer and have a better learning experience. In fact, 3 to 5 year old kids are less likely to be active on a playground that is designed to be “safer” as they are viewed as less challenging and boring. Recent statistics show that only 9 per cent of 5 to 17 year olds are getting 60 minutes of heart pumping activity each day, If you are looking for a new place to explore, visit one of the many conservation areas in Windsor-Essex County. For directions, trail maps and events at conservation areas in our region, visit www.erca.org For a list of parks and trails in the City of Windsor, visit www.citywindsor.ca or visit the website for your municipality for park maps and trail guides. For more information on healthy living for you and your family, please visit www.wechu.org or call our Family Health Hotline at 519-258-2146 ext. 1350. and up to 90 per cent of our day is spent indoors. So how do we, as parents and caregivers, support a child’s need for active, outdoor play that provides challenges for our children while still managing their risk of injury? Parents as Role Models When it comes to managing risk, it’s important to recognize the difference between real dangers versus minor risks. Children are more curious about natural spaces than they are about metal and plastic play structures. Even though natural spaces won’t have rubber surfaces to cushion a child who stumbles, they aren’t as dangerous as we may think. While injuries do happen, most of them are minor cuts and scrapes. Studies have shown that if parents value outdoor time, children will too. Consider the following before turning on the TV or tablets: • Encourage your children to play outside in a variety of weather conditions - and most importantly, join them! Remember to dress for the weather conditions. • Show a positive attitude and resist the urge to make negative comments about the weather, even if it’s less than ideal. • Put away your cell phone or tablet. Get up and get dirty with your family! • Seek out new natural spaces to explore in your neighbourhood and beyond. Allow your children to challenge themselves by walking along logs, climbing the lower branches of trees and picking up rocks and boulders. For timely updates about health issues in your community follow the WECHU on Facebook and Twitter @theWECHU 6 The HUB -July 2015