Back to School, Back to Nature
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Back to School, Back to Nature
by: Jessica Schaefer
For most kids, going back to school means less time spent outdoors. Days steadily become shorter and opportunities for after-school activities can seem endless. While learning the flute, scoring a goal, and perfecting the plié all have benefits, making time for nature is critical for both physical and mental health.
Playing outside is linked with improved motor development, lower obesity rates, and a lower risk for nearsightedness in children. Teaching kids how to play, explore, and exercise outdoors helps them build healthy habits they can carry into adulthood. While they may not always have access to a gym, team, or studio, the Metroparks are free, located within five miles of every Lucas County resident, and open 365 days a year.
Spending time in natural environments has been shown to improve mental health in children significantly. As little as 60 minutes a day spent in nature can lower the risk of mental health issues by 50%. In addition, children who spend time outdoors exhibit less aggression and anger, improved impulse control, and better learning outcomes. Time in nature has even been shown to decrease ADHD symptoms.
While the benefits of getting kids outside are clear, making time in our busy lives can be a challenge. Here are some ideas to make nature a part of your family’s routine this fall:
Make a goal to visit every Metroparks playground. [Explore]
Register for Side Cut Kids Club, a drop-off program for adventurous 8 to 12-year-olds that highlights a different outdoor skill each week [Explore].
Join Toledo Tree Tots Preschool Club, a program for children ages 2.5-5 that features nature-inspired themes and meets at a different park each month [Explore].
Cast a line at one of our free youth fishing events. Upcoming fishing program [Details].
Hook & Cook Youth Fishing Event
Cannonball Prairie
Saturday, September 7, 9 a.m. to Noon
No Reservations Required, Free
You're invited to join our experts for a live fillet demonstration to sharpen your skills. After your fish is prepared it will then be cooked in a mobile kitchen brought by ODNR Division of Wildlife.
Sign up for Trail Challenge and earn stickers for walking the trails in your favorite parks, hiking or biking 100 miles, or trying a new activity, like archery [Explore].
Want to read more about the importance of playing outside? Check out healthychildren.org and parkrxamerica.org.
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Sources:
https://parkrxamerica.org/patients/human-benefits-of-nature.php