Outdoor play activities 'help reduce anti-social behaviour'
04/03/2010 Supervised outdoor play activities can cut the risk of children offending or engaging in anti-social behaviour, according to Play England.
The organisation has released the results of a report which show skilled voluntary or paid members of staff helping children engage in outdoor play activities can help those at risk of committing crimes.
It claimed that these staff members are particularly beneficial for those who are too old for children's centres, yet too young for youth clubs.
Adrian Voce, director of Play England, said: "A typical eight to 13-year-old today is effectively battery-reared, spending five or more hours in front of a screen and rarely, if ever, allowed out without an adult."
He explained that this leads to a number of problems, including obesity.
The report focuses on six youngsters from deprived areas. It discovered that outdoor play activities can also help children to integrate with one another, regardless of any differences.
It was also claimed in a blog for the Mother Nature Network recently that outdoor play activities can help children sleep better at night.

The organisation has released the results of a report which show skilled voluntary or paid members of staff helping children engage in outdoor play activities can help those at risk of committing crimes.
It claimed that these staff members are particularly beneficial for those who are too old for children's centres, yet too young for youth clubs.
Adrian Voce, director of Play England, said: "A typical eight to 13-year-old today is effectively battery-reared, spending five or more hours in front of a screen and rarely, if ever, allowed out without an adult."
He explained that this leads to a number of problems, including obesity.
The report focuses on six youngsters from deprived areas. It discovered that outdoor play activities can also help children to integrate with one another, regardless of any differences.
It was also claimed in a blog for the Mother Nature Network recently that outdoor play activities can help children sleep better at night.



