How often have you heard someone complaining that their child spends the day in front of the TV or computer playing video games or just surfing the web (under parental supervision, of course)? In addition, some of the children-yes, children- seem to have a cell phone attached to their ear. Technology seems to rule their world.
Now, go backward in time, to when the average parent was a child. Most time was spent out of doors, unless it was storming at the time. As soon as breakfast was finished, children raced out the door to plan for the day’s activities. These could include building a fort, climbing a tree, riding a bike or scooter, or just enjoying the outside world. These days, one may not have a large outside space or a forest near their home, but children today can still enjoy the outdoors as much as their parents did.
When one becomes a parent, one of their most important jobs is to promote a healthy lifestyle for their child. This includes assuring that the child gets as much physical activity as is necessary. One way this may be accomplished is by making sure that the child has only limited access to their electronic playthings. Rather, they should be encouraged to spend a good part of their day outside. One way to entice the child to spend quality time outside is to erect an outdoor playset in one’s yard which will give the child an invitation to explore new activities. These sets can range from the simple to the elaborate, depending on what a parent envisions for their child.
Safety is one concern which is important when a child is playing outdoors. Having a play area in one’s yard will assure that the child remains safe at home rather than wandering the streets looking for something interesting to do. In fact, other neighborhood children may wish to come to the yard from their yards in order to enjoy the playset.
In regards to physical fitness, an outdoor playset can help the child develop in many areas. By climbing, balancing, swinging, running etc., the child will be enhancing the growth of their gross motor skills. Hand-eye coordination will also be improved by making use of all the smaller parts of the playset, such as knobs and buttons which the set may have. The child will become physically fit without being aware that they are exercising at all.
Another area which is enhanced when the child uses their playset is in the area of imagination. With all the electronic games children have at their disposal, very rarely do they have to think for themselves. However, when outside playing, they have a blank slate to work with and can turn the area into whatever they see in their mind. This is an activity which they can do independently, using their own ideas. In addition, if other children are invited to join in, the child will learn to play appropriately with others, as well as to share ideas.
These days, outdoor playsets have many features which allow the children to dramatize most any situation they imagine. Even a swing can become a horse, car, or even a space ship. By encouraging one’s child to play outdoors, he or she will grow in ways not possible when trapped by the tentacles of the computer, TV, and video games. This growth, physically, mentally, and emotionally, will benefit the child for the rest of their life.