Do we blame societies nervousness, parents busy schedules, or the rise of technology? Im one for taking my dog for a walk first thing in the morning. One reason is because he needs exercise and it is my responsibility that he gets it. But also, I benefit from the outdoors; it clears the cobwebs, refreshes me and sets me in good stead for a productive day. Not only this but long term its keeping me active, fit and exercised aswell. With lots of parks, fields, greens, lakes and farms around me I feel very privalliged. But will our children grow to love the outdoors like I do?
Do we have a problem where our children are playing inside on computers and watching tv, instead of exploring and taking fun adventures outside? Will this have an impact on their health for the future? Do our children get the exercise they need? Is it a result of urbonised, electronic homes? Or due to parents now creating a risk-adversed world with nature-deficit disorders all round?With so many questions I can only show you my research from the experts.
Consultant Tim Gill, author of the report Sowing the Seeds: Reconnecting London's Children with Nature, "The way I unpack the idea is that regular contact with nature is part of a balanced diet of childhood experiences.
"If children do not have those experiences then they are not going to thrive to the same degree as if they did," he added.
"They are also likely to grow up not caring about the world around them; while it is not a clinical condition, it should be something that worries us." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16963807
The National Trust chief executive Dame Fiona said "Children are missing out on the sheer joy and physical and mental well-being of being able to play outside and experience nature in all its messiness.
"It's partly technology and it's partly a sort of nervousness. The freedom for children to roam unsupervised has shrunk by 90% since the 1970s.
"The world is a different place and people have become very anxious about the risks - real or perceived." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17257562
Health services are starting to take notice and organisations are now helping to get our children outside, exercising and away from the computer screens . A few to take a look at are listed below.
Play England http://www.playengland.org.uk/ - an organisation that focuses on giving children access to free play areas - has funding from Natural England to run a programme to re-engage children with the natural world. "Fundamentally, we believe that kids should be outside playing for a good proportion of the day because it is how you can stay happy, less stressed but it is also good in a whole range of ways," said Play England director Cath Prisk However, she added: "Research we carried out last year showed that parents think taking their kids to the park is something you do as a treat instead of something you do everyday.” . http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16963807
Change for life for children http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/up-and-about.aspx “Activity is good for kids' health. It raises their heartbeats and helps pump blood around their bodies. It’s like a mini workout for their lungs and muscles! It also decreases their chances of getting life-threatening diseases. A good dose of fresh air and exercise also helps us all sleep better. So tiring out kids with activity every day will help them nod off at a good hour and make them feel alert for the next day.”
Transform my patch charity, with Denise Van Outen and pother celebrities involved in a national competition to improve children’s playgrounds and parks in different areas. http://www.transformyourpatch.com/projects
With the olympics just around the corner we have many organisations and websites also getting children fit and active. Youth Sport Trust, Youth Ambassador Britain , Get Set London
I will be looking more into this issue and will keep blogs coming as we get closer to the olympics – so watch this space.
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