Outdoor play activities 'develop imagination'
18/06/2010 Children must be given time to take part in outdoor play activities to ensure that they are able to develop their imagination and reduce stress.
There is a growing movement in the US which advocates the benefits of outdoor play activities as a way of combating a new condition called nature deficit disorder.
David Vismara, a No Child Left Inside coordinator, told the Gazette.net that outdoor play activities provide "a natural way of learning".
"It allows kids to develop their imagination," he added.
Joan Almon, executive director of the US Alliance for Childhood, added that there are also increasing anxiety levels brought on by a lack of outdoor play activities.
"Kids are under more stress than they used to be and we've taken away play, which is a great stress reducer," she explained to the news provider.
The results of a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics revealed that children who take part in sports or outdoor play activities are less likely to spend too much time in front of the TV. The research was carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There is a growing movement in the US which advocates the benefits of outdoor play activities as a way of combating a new condition called nature deficit disorder.
David Vismara, a No Child Left Inside coordinator, told the Gazette.net that outdoor play activities provide "a natural way of learning".
"It allows kids to develop their imagination," he added.
Joan Almon, executive director of the US Alliance for Childhood, added that there are also increasing anxiety levels brought on by a lack of outdoor play activities.
"Kids are under more stress than they used to be and we've taken away play, which is a great stress reducer," she explained to the news provider.
The results of a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics revealed that children who take part in sports or outdoor play activities are less likely to spend too much time in front of the TV. The research was carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
