I wrote a friend today about our recent week long river trip.  I told him that river trips reserve a special place in me because some of my favorite childhood experiences were on river trips.  I read a happy fact that children who play outdoors are regularly happier and healthier.  And then I read an unhappy fact that children these days are spending increasingly less time playing outdoors.  A fourth grader was quoted in “Last Child in the Woods” by Richard Louv saying “I like to play indoors better ‘cause that’s where all the electric outlets are.”  I remember my sister and me playing every season outdoors and having to be called in for dinner.  Unfortunately more studies are proving that children today spend less time playing outdoors than any previous generation.  (Clements, 2004; Hofferth and Curtin, 2006).  What’s worse is the amount of time spent with electronics and the television increases with a child’s age.  And there seems to be a relationship to child obesity and time spent playing computer games.   

As I write this, I look out at the local playground and see only one child playing on the toys.  Some key benefits of playing outdoors: more physically fit, healthier immune systems, more creativity and active imaginations, less stress, more self-respect and respect for others.  And now back to the one kid I see playing at the park right now—my dog and I watch as the little girl hollers with delight “Grandma please wait for me” and running up the hill.  To my amazement after little girl gets to the top of the hill Grandma goes into a beauty of a body roll down and down.  Little girl follows Grandma’s lead in a faster pace roll accompanied with a squeal and giggle all the way.  To my amazement two on looking older kids see this and begin rolling down the hill also!  Go Grandma!  The little girl walks back to the toys after the roll session and I think she looks to have the most confident little girl walk I have ever seen.  I feel happier seeing these beautiful interactions full off activity, play, enthusiasm, laughter and fun.  I feel the Universe has opened up to me at this moment to show me just what I needed to see.  I want to shout to the great outdoors that I love what it has to offer me and my fellow humans, to my dog and everything living.  Reach my arms in the air for gratitude of the sun and breeze and birds in the sky.  Thankful for this moment and the clan of four kids that just climbed into swings.  I don’t need more quotes from doctors or research from scientists (although those are always interesting) to prove that outdoor/active play is beneficial.  I know it in my heart as truth.  I remember my journal entries from my adolescent years saying as a mantra how I love and live by outdoor activities.  I have always known this.  And I know the best thing I can do for myself when I’m feeling low is to get outside.  With an air of urgency I say to myself (or out loud) “to the outdoors!”  And the outdoors works to lift my spirits every time.  If I don’t know how to get words to a page—“to the outdoors” and my creativity is boosted every time.  So I say now “to the outdoors!”  Get out there and play!  

So now you know that the early years of brain development are crucial.  What are the best ways to give your child the best opportunity to learn and develop?  It just might be as simple a solution as PLAY!  An NPR article states, time in the classroom might be less important than time on the playground.  The article goes on to say that play can actually alter the physical dimensions of the brain.  Play changes the connections of neurons at the front of the brain.  This part of the brain plays an important role in areas of regulating emotions, problem solving and decision making.  So play prepares the brain for life, love and even schoolwork.  Play also helps children be more adept socially. They learn to take turns and play fair.  And (icing on the cake), skills learned with play ultimately lead to better grades in the classroom.  More studies show that lessons through play obtained in early year’s impact an individual as an adult. Researchers found that one of the best predictors of academic performance in the eighth grade was based on the social behaviors demonstrated in the third grade.  Therefore, it is critical for brain development to occur early in a child’s life.  Researcher Sergio Pellis at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada says, “Countries where they actually have more recess tend to have higher academic performance than countries where recess is less.” 

SmartGamesAndToys.com has over 800 products that have been selected to improve children’s brain development.  The goal is to provide information and products that will help parents give their children the opportunities to enhance brain development.  Each product has been determined to stimulate a certain area of the brain and includes a product description with information on what specific abilities are targeted.   

For more information, contact:  SmartGamesAndToys or call at 1-877-506-1746 or email at contactus@SmartGamesAndToys.com.

One of the aspects we focus on at SmartGamesAndToys is development because it encompasses all aspects of learning and targets growth and progress.  This includes being physically healthy, mentally alert, emotionally sound, and socially competent.  We believe there is more to learning than the grades earned in the classroom.  According to factsforlife.org the first five years of a child’s life are fundamentally important.  Those years provide a foundation and structure for the future health, well-being, development, learning achievements and life in general.  Recent research provides evidence for the first five years being crucial for a child’s brain development and the first three years providing the brains architecture.  These early experiences are so important because they determine the brains organizational development and later determine the child’s social and emotional abilities. 

               

There is proof that rapid development happens in the first five years of a child’s life.  There are explosions of growth in the area of the brain for cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional and motor skills.  The brain grows while the senses are engaged.  Every time a child sees, hears, smells, tastes, or touches there are neural connections being made.  When these new experiences are repeated, this begins to shape how a child thinks, feels and behaves in the future.  I like to use the visual of a flow of water.  The path the water takes over time will eventually begin to form a deep groove so the water continues to flow that way naturally.  It becomes the default; it becomes habit.  So if there are good habits formed early in life then there is more opportunity for that individual’s peace of mind.  If bad habits are formed then it will be more of a struggle to overcome these behaviors and beliefs such as emotional upsets, lack of self-confidence, stress, anxiety, and depression to name a few. 

But you don’t have to be related to Einstein or have a high IQ to raise a well-rounded child.  Basic interaction goes a long way.  Love and affection encourage growth, development and future potential just as much as sending them to Harvard; probably even more so.  Interaction with your child now influences later abilities such as learning, self-confidence, positive social skills, and successful relationships at later ages, as well as a sense of empathy.  It is amazing the power of “time on” with another.  And by “time on” I mean interacting.  Just being together; playing.  I have always loved the saying “The couple who plays together, stays together.”  There is truth in that and it works with your kids as well (and dogs for that matter).  So enjoy your kids; play with them and spend time with them.  Cherish time with your kids and not only will they feel loved but they will be learning and developing as well.