In the early 1980s, a Harvard University biologist named Edward O Wilson proposed the Biophilia theory, which states that individuals are drawn to their natural environment naturally. Many parents in the 21st century, on the other hand, would call this idea into doubt, as they observe their children demonstrate a distinct preference for sitting on a couch in front of a computer over playing outside.
The national outcry over children spending too much time indoors has reached such proportions that it has been given a name: nature deficit disorder. And while calling it a disorder may be a stretch, it's apparent that children spend far more time inside than outside. This trend is largely owing to technological advancements: according to studies, the average youngster spends four to seven minutes per day in unstructured outside play and over seven hours per day in front of a screen.
Another major cause is parents' growing concerns about infections and the dangers of playing outside, despite evidence to the contrary. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns have also made playing outside next to impossible. Even with the pandemic abating, fears about playing in crowded parks and grounds continue to persist.
As suburbs and exurbs grow, nature becomes more fragmented, your girl child is less likely to spend time in a fenced-in yard, head out for play, or go for a walk. Instead, for kids who are growing up with multiplayer video games and social media profiles, indoor activities may appear to be easier (no sunscreen required!), safer, and even more sociable.
Why Going Outside Is Important
Recent studies have shown that spending time outside is beneficial—even necessary—for both children and adults. Some argue that it can happen in any outdoor setting. Some Others argue that it must be a 'green' setting, meaning one with trees and leaves. Others still have demonstrated that simply looking at a picture of greens can improve mental wellness. Aside from these variations, most studies agree that children who spend more time outside are smarter, happier, more attentive, and less worried than children who spend more time indoors. While it's unknown how the cognitive and mood gains occur, there are a few things we do know about why nature is beneficial to children's minds.
Let’s have a look at some benefits when your girl child spends time in nature:
1. Confidence-Building: Most sorts of indoor play have a lot more organisation than how kids play in nature. From the backyard to the park to the neighbourhood hiking path or lake, there are endless opportunities to interact with outside environments, and allowing your girl child to select how she interacts with nature gives her the opportunity to manage her own actions.
2. Creativity And Imagination: This unstructured type of play also allows children to engage in meaningful interactions with their environment. They have more freedom to thinkought, plan their own activities, and approach the world in novel ways.
3. Responsibility: Living things perish if they are mistreated or not properly cared for, and leaving a girl child with the responsibility of caring for the living aspects of her surroundings means she will discover what happens if she forgets to water a plant or rip a flower out by its roots.
4. Stimulation: Nature may appear to be less engaging than, say, a violent computer game, but it actually engages more senses because you can see, hear, smell, and touch it. This stimulation is extremely important for your girl child growing up.
5. Movement: The majority of ways to interact with nature require more exercise than simply sitting on the couch. Your girl child doesn't have to join the local soccer team or ride her bike through the park to get her blood pumping—even a simple walk will do the trick. Not only is exercise beneficial to children's bodies, but it also appears to improve their focus.
6. Reflection: Nature provides a unique sensation of amazement for children that no other setting can match. Every day, natural events in backyards and parks prompt children to inquire about the earth and the life it sustains.
7. Reduced Stress And Fatigue: According to the Attention Restoration Theory, cities demand directed attention, which causes us to avoid distractions and exhausts our brains. Soft interest is a form of effortless attention that promotes sensations of joy rather than fatigue in natural settings. So, spending time in nature gives your girl child’s mind a much needed time for rest and recovery, thus reducing stress and exhaustion.
In conclusion, while screen time is the more convenient and popular option, it's still crucial to schedule time for outside play.