US parents rate outdoor play activities
09/06/2010 Parents in the US realise the benefits of outdoor play activities ensure their children have fun and learn in the summer months.
A new survey by KinderCare Learning Centers found that 80 per cent of parents rated their children having fun as important during the school holidays.
Wendy Collie, president of KinderCare Learning Centers, said that almost half of mums and dads said that this fun should be combined with learning opportunities.
"We know that parents today really want their kids to have a chance to enjoy the simple pleasures of summer while still using the off school months to continue learning, growing and discovering while still having fun," Ms Collie said.
Outdoor play activities are shown to have a number of benefits for children, including improved physical fitness and emotional development.
Also in the US, the first lady Michelle Obama is spearheading a campaign to reduce the levels of childhood obesity in the country.
The benefits of outdoor play activities were highlighted recently in a report by the White House Childhood Obesity Task Force.
A new survey by KinderCare Learning Centers found that 80 per cent of parents rated their children having fun as important during the school holidays.
Wendy Collie, president of KinderCare Learning Centers, said that almost half of mums and dads said that this fun should be combined with learning opportunities.
"We know that parents today really want their kids to have a chance to enjoy the simple pleasures of summer while still using the off school months to continue learning, growing and discovering while still having fun," Ms Collie said.
Outdoor play activities are shown to have a number of benefits for children, including improved physical fitness and emotional development.
Also in the US, the first lady Michelle Obama is spearheading a campaign to reduce the levels of childhood obesity in the country.
The benefits of outdoor play activities were highlighted recently in a report by the White House Childhood Obesity Task Force.
