Outdoor play activities 'important during school holidays'
18/05/2010 Children should take part in outdoor play activities during the summer to ensure they keep their brains active while on holiday, the US retailer Target has claimed.
According to the National Summer Learning Association, pupils in general do worse at tests after the summer school holidays if they don't take part in educational activities over the period.
Target suggested that parents encourage their children to take part in outdoor play activities, as they help improve kids' physical fitness and can stimulate their brains.
The retailer explained: "Outdoor play stimulates kids' creativity. Plus, it's been shown to improve their stress levels, their confidence, and their learning and social skills."
Outdoor play activities could also help address the issue of nature deficit disorder, which occurs when children spend too much time indoors.
Recent research conducted by the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden suggested that exercising outdoors when you're young could hold benefits in later life.
The study of more than 3,000 men found that those who played sports when they were children had stronger bones as adults.
According to the National Summer Learning Association, pupils in general do worse at tests after the summer school holidays if they don't take part in educational activities over the period.
Target suggested that parents encourage their children to take part in outdoor play activities, as they help improve kids' physical fitness and can stimulate their brains.
The retailer explained: "Outdoor play stimulates kids' creativity. Plus, it's been shown to improve their stress levels, their confidence, and their learning and social skills."
Outdoor play activities could also help address the issue of nature deficit disorder, which occurs when children spend too much time indoors.
Recent research conducted by the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden suggested that exercising outdoors when you're young could hold benefits in later life.
The study of more than 3,000 men found that those who played sports when they were children had stronger bones as adults.
