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No Child Should Be Left Inside
The experiences during the child's first seven years help develop her full potential. She needs to learn to move from a focus on those who take care of her to the outdoor world. Today, parents may be afraid for the child's safety outdoors or may plan more scheduled activities than are appropriate for the child's age. However, research shows that time spent in free-play outdoors builds the skills needed for school success.
For the first seven to eight months, a child's world centers around the people who take care of him. When the child begins to crawl, scoot, and walk he starts to pay attention to the world around him. For example, a fifteen month-old child going on a walk with his mother pushing his stroller, will be more interested in the things they pass along the way than on his mother. The mother's role is to keep him safe and choose to walk where there will be interesting things to smell, see and touch.
From ages three to seven children are developing the skills for success. A child of two will chase the bubbles her father blows for her. When she is four she will want to blow the bubbles herself. When she is older she will want to mix the bubble solution. Later she may want find out if it is harmful to plants or animals. At two a child may love to walk through the garden with her grandmother. When she is four she will want to know all about the plants. She will touch each one, pick leaves and flowers to share and ask many "why" questions. When she is older she may want to plant and harvest her own garden.
From ages four to seven the child creates stories about animals that are like humans or that have unusual skills. The child sees himself as the center of a universe he has created. One day he may pretend to be a dinosaur, the next he may want to shave like Daddy, and the next he may pretend to be a nurse or a fireman.
Play encourages child development and learning. Research shows that when children play pretend games they build the skills needed for reading and writing. Children develop stories to tell. Then they put together objects, action, and words to make new stories. The foundation for understanding math, science, and problem solving is set when they build with blocks and play with sand and water. Rough and tumble play develops social and emotional control and self esteem. Play encourages children to think about many possibilities. Children do not play to learn, but are learning while they play.
Nature improves children's physical and mental well-being. Many experts believe that humans are drawn to the natural outdoors. An example is how well children like stories set in nature and with animal characters. Imagination and the sense of wonder are improved by early outdoor experiences. When children play outdoors they are more likely to have positive feelings about each other and their surroundings. Children also develop independence by playing outdoors because they gradually increase the distance between them and their primary caregivers.
Children like the unending variety and a sense of control over their experiences found outdoors. Plants, trees, flowers, water, dirt, sand, mud, animals, insects encourage open-ended play that lets children explore. They like room to run and enjoy different levels to climb on. They also like places to sit in, on, and under and places to lean against. They like things that include loose parts that can be changed.
Adults can encourage children's play indoors and outdoors by:
- Providing an hour or more for free play.
- Providing a variety of materials to encourage different kinds of play.
- Encouraging children to move, make, and imagine things to support play.
- Let the child set the rules.
- Asking questions to get the child talking about what they are doing.
- Having the child tell them how to do or make something.
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Active Kids
All outdoor activities should be safe and fun. Each needs to be thought about in relation to your area and the age or experience level of your youth.
Anticipate problems. You must scope out the area first. Ask the locals and experts about safety considerations. Tell kids how to behave if there are special risks. Be observant and helpful. Allow for unstructured fun and learning. Help kids to include nature activities regularly in their lives. Get into nature! Get nature into you! Take a friend! Take a child!
For more information, check out www.LandHelp.info under the "Next Child in the Woods" section and the many other resources to help youth and adults become good participants and stewards with nature.
Adapted from: Neighborhood Outdoor Adventures - Next Child in the Woods
Find Ways to Get Youth into Nature and Nature into Youth. Dr. Delwin E. Benson, Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist, Colorado State University
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Safe Kids - Outdoor food safety
Plan ahead. Decide what you are going to eat and how you are going to cook it. Then plan what equipment you will need.
- Pack safely. Use a cooler if car-camping or boating. Pack foods in the frozen state with a cold source if hiking or backpacking.
- Keep raw foods separate from other foods.
- Never bring meat or poultry products without a cold source to keep them safe.
- Bring disposable wipes or biodegradable soap for hand and dishwashing.
- Plan on carrying bottled water for drinking. Otherwise, boil water or use water purification tablets.
- Do not leave trash in the wild.
- If using a cooler, leftover food is safe only if the cooler still has ice in it. Otherwise, discard leftover food.
- Whether in the wild or on the high seas, protect yourself and your family by washing your hands before and after handling food.
Adapted from: USDA. Fact Sheet: Food Safety While Hiking, Camping & Boating.
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Healthy Kids
For children to move, think and play, they need energy. They can get this energy from eating healthy foods, sleeping to restore their bodies, drinking water and staying active throughout the day.
Young children need to have regularly scheduled, healthy meals and snacks. Offer your child the right fuel to keep him or her going between meals. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products are good choices. By fueling their bodies this way, children don't become too hungry, which can lead to overeating. Limit sugar-sweetened beverages and turn off the TV while eating.
Many young children don't get enough sleep. Without enough sleep, children are not at their best. Preschoolers need about 11-12 hours, including nighttime and naps.
Adapted from: Kids Health. Nemours Health & Preventative Services. Sesame Street's Healthy Habits for Life. 2007.
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