Did you know that in France, 4 out of 10 children never play outside ?
That's still 39% of the little French!
This is the result of a study by the Institute for Health Surveillance (InVS) which involved 808 children aged 3 to 10.
This survey also shows that only one child in two spends time outdoors after school.
But if you are reading these lines, you probably already know that playing outside is essential for the health and well-being of children.
So here are 10 scientific proofs that show you are unquestionably right. Watch:
Numerous studies show that the sun and natural light reduce the risk of myopia and improve distant vision in children.
Thus children who have spent more time playing outside have better distant vision than those who preferred indoor activities. Another recent study claims that 14 hours a week of outdoor light is enough to acquire better vision.
Many studies show that playing outside in the dirt helps children stay healthy .
Indeed, bacteria, viruses and other dirt participate in the development of the immune system and the brain of children. Playing with the soil in the garden also improves the mood of children and reduces their anxiety.
Yes, our food is not enough to provide us with enough. 80-90% of our vitamin D comes from the sun. Exposing yourself for 10 to 15 minutes without sun protection is sufficient. Beyond that, it is better to apply sunscreen.
Over 100 different studies have shown that outdoor recreation reduces stress. It is the result of a combination of factors producing positive physiological and psychological responses.
In addition, according to this survey, spending time outside, playing in nature and participating in outdoor activities helped 90% of children relieve their stress.
Several studies show that the natural environment and outdoor activities in nature have reduced ADHD symptoms in children.
Specifically, outdoor activities had a greater positive impact than other elements. These positive effects have been noticed especially in children under 5 years old.
A 2008 study at the University of Michigan found that memory and attention spans improved by 20% after subjects spent 1 hour in nature.
Similarly, in a major survey, 78% of teachers said that "children who regularly spend time outdoors playing freely are better able to concentrate and perform better in class> ".
Outdoor play improves physical condition and helps to have a healthy and active body . In France, 3% of boys and 4% of girls are obese between the ages of 3 and 17, according to an INPES survey.
Running, climbing, walking, exploring and getting dirty...all of these activities burn calories and strengthen growing children's bodies.
In addition, there is enough evidence linking physical fitness and academic performance. Likewise, a study has shown that taking a simple walk in nature increases children's creativity.
In other words, children who play outside have better sensory skills . Indeed, when playing outside, children are confronted with uneven surfaces, rocks, branches, holds and unstable surfaces such as gravel, sand and mud that must be apprehended. Playing with these elements promotes balance, agility, dexterity and depth perception.
Many studies have shown that children who spend time outdoors, including during the school day, perform better, in all subjects.
Environmentally-based education significantly increases students' performance on tests of critical thinking ability.
Compiling other evidence, studies by students in California show that schools with outdoor classrooms see significant improvement in academic achievement in humanities, science, language arts, and math. P>
The results are identical with the alternative educational forms based on nature.
For example, one study shows that children who participate in outdoor science programs improved their science test scores by 27%.
As children get older, they become more and more familiar with closed environments such as home or school. On the other hand, the external environment is open, dynamic and constantly changing. We do not control nature, which means that we are forced to question ourselves, to look and to observe new things constantly.
Through TV, movies, books, and tablet apps, many children learn a lot about dinosaurs, pandas, sharks, and more. But letting them play outside allows them to explore and learn about the ecosystem around them. Indeed, children take great pride in learning the names of plants and animals in the neighborhood where they live.
