Get Outside, Child!
Your One Step:
✓ Send your kid (or teen) outside!
Did you know that our children spend 50% less time outdoors than we did as children? Childhood used to be spent primarily outdoors, yet we’ve migrated indoors in the digital age. We may have hit rock bottom: Now doctors prescribe time in nature and researchers indicate that spending a minimum of two hours in nature per week is fundamental for human health and wellbeing.
This summer is a great time to embrace these extended daylight hours and get our kids out of the house - on their own or with their friends!
How to get them outside...
Do some prep work. Brainstorm with your child what supplies to gather or camaraderie to recruit for outdoor fun that they can do solo, with siblings, or with a group of friends. Could you coordinate a day (or week!) of free play with other families? Use our Summer Free Play guide to get started! Find more relevant ideas on these lists: 73 backyard activities, twists on trampoline fun, and simple nature play activities. No adults needed!
Kick. Them. Out. Define any boundaries and rules, tell your child “go outside,” and clarify they aren’t allowed to come back in until 6pm. If you think your child is too young, read how kids as young as age 2 used to play alone outdoors. Remove indoor options and device access. Do not budge - your kids can smell hesitation a mile away! Close the door behind them and be confident they will figure things out!
Got teens? Sending them out the door to explore where you live is a great way to indulge their need for independence and freedom. You'd be surprised at the wholesome adventures teens can self-organize. For families in and around Marin, we have a "teen approved" list of things to do from San Francisco to Petaluma. Send your teen this link and let them figure out what to do and how to get there!
Now, enjoy the quiet. That’s the sound of your glorious parenting. Strengthening the independence muscle in our kids is necessary for building critical thinking and self-reliance. To build that skill, we ourselves have to let go more. This can be hard. But as you start to reap the benefits of their blossoming independence, it gets easier and easier! (Plus the quiet is niiiiiice....)
Our blog posts are often inspired by our monthly OneStep newsletters. In our email newsletters we give one simple monthly step towards healthier tech use. To get our tips and updates from ScreenSense direct to your inbox - click here!
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Thank you
Harbor Point
Charitable Foundation
for the generous support of our work.
