
Technology has become more and more accessible and affordable for everyone. Now more than ever, kids spend hours in front of screens every day. Parents are always concerned buy usually too busy to take the kids to play outside; well, there are huge skills that kids can only develop if the spend time in outdoors activities and practicing sports.
Since children are still in a physical and emotional developmental stage, playing outdoor games allows them to improve their motor skills, hand and eye coordination, balance, and overall performance. They also learn to adjust to the environment and people around them.
By playing outside and playing with other kids, they learn how to stay positive when things don’t go the way they want, get more involved in solving problems, and trying to empathize with other children.
Among the most important skills developed in playing outdoor games is critical thinking. It is something that no school lecture can effectively teach. In order to develop critical thinking, the child should actually be out there, moving his/her body and thinking how to solve problems in a timely manner.
According to the Canadian Camping Association, kids who are “guided and supported by caring leaders who are excellent role models, acquire hard skills to enjoy in a lifetime of leisure pursuits. Campers are encouraged to be co-operative, caring, tolerant and respectful – qualities which benefit them beyond camp. They also learn to become more independent and self-confident, they develop leadership skills and acquire an appreciation and respect for nature.” - Les bienfaits du camp - Association des camps du Canada - Canadian Camping Association (ccamping.org)
Since children are still in a physical and emotional developmental stage, playing outdoor games allows them to improve their motor skills, hand and eye coordination, balance, and overall performance. They also learn to adjust to the environment and people around them.
By playing outside and playing with other kids, they learn how to stay positive when things don’t go the way they want, get more involved in solving problems, and trying to empathize with other children.
Among the most important skills developed in playing outdoor games is critical thinking. It is something that no school lecture can effectively teach. In order to develop critical thinking, the child should actually be out there, moving his/her body and thinking how to solve problems in a timely manner.
According to the Canadian Camping Association, kids who are “guided and supported by caring leaders who are excellent role models, acquire hard skills to enjoy in a lifetime of leisure pursuits. Campers are encouraged to be co-operative, caring, tolerant and respectful – qualities which benefit them beyond camp. They also learn to become more independent and self-confident, they develop leadership skills and acquire an appreciation and respect for nature.” - Les bienfaits du camp - Association des camps du Canada - Canadian Camping Association (ccamping.org)
Outdoor safety check
The National Program for Playground Safety recommends that child-care programs consider four categories for ensuring playground safety. The S.A.F.E. categories are:
- Supervision - Age Appropriateness - Fall surfacing - Equipment maintenance Providing a Safe Outdoor Environment | VLS (virtuallabschool.org) |
Safety is an important aspect of our every day life. Kids watch the actions of older persons and will generally pick up on habits that they are exposed to regularly.
Parents can help by engaging with their family and discussing personal safety. Actions speak louder than words, so remember that all adults are role models to all children.
Outdoor supervision requires the parents or caregivers to continuously scan and move through the environment while the kid is playing.
Supervision involves caregivers interacting with the environment and children at play. Enjoy your time outdoors. Be excited to see new discoveries children are making. Talk, laugh, encourage active engagement, and participate in their exploration while keeping them safe.
Parents can help by engaging with their family and discussing personal safety. Actions speak louder than words, so remember that all adults are role models to all children.
Outdoor supervision requires the parents or caregivers to continuously scan and move through the environment while the kid is playing.
Supervision involves caregivers interacting with the environment and children at play. Enjoy your time outdoors. Be excited to see new discoveries children are making. Talk, laugh, encourage active engagement, and participate in their exploration while keeping them safe.
Children spend an average of SEVEN hours a day in front of electronic devices. Encouraging children to spend more time in the outdoors and away from technology aids it's extremely important for their physical well-being, and helps them improve their emotional and intellectual health as well.
Children that are active in their early years generally continue to be more active as they age.
Children that are active in their early years generally continue to be more active as they age.
World Hug Group is very proud to be a partner of EduCamp. Together we offer great programs, tools and information that promote child safety and well-being!
EduCamp is a world class summer camp located in one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica. It has been operating for more than 16 years and through its programs has positively impacted thousands of children and families.
It's founder, Erika Sunol Marten is the visionary who pioneered a new type of camp in Costa Rica that connects children with nature and promotes responsibility and social ethics in modern times. Each child in EduCamp is welcomed as unique, precious and full of promise. |