In a recent video interview Richard Louv, author
of “Last Child in the Woods” (available from our parent lending library) comments on research findings show
children’s ability to self-control (executive function in the brain) is directly related to and built
through the time they spend in imaginative free play. Louv’s first book started a new awareness a few years
ago of how far removed the current generation of children is from nature,
compared to their great grandparents generation, and the observable deficits
this has produced. Empty space in our children’s schedule is very beneficial. Building
in downtime is like having a nice white margin of space around the page of
daily life. We need to resist the urge to write in the margins and fill in all the blank spaces.
Contemporary life for couples in their 20s, 30s, and 40s raising children has
never been so stressful and pressed for time. When parents do get time off from
work on the weekends there are dozens of niggling chores and home care projects
to be taken care of. And on weekdays some parents want to offer enrichment
experiences for their children through athletic, arts, and recreational after
school programs.
As a result, our children end up over-scheduled, over-booked,
have lots of programs but not so much down time to pretend, wander around the
yard, explore nature, think thoughts, day dream, make their own connections,
make meaningful decisions on their own. Kids lives in the 21st century
are distilled into slots of scheduled time, partly because they are not at home
as much as generations past; they are in care much of the day. Parents trying
to fit in all that they want to expose their child to are tempted to fill in
all the slots. What is healthier and gives kids the opportunity to build the
self help and self control skills they need to get them through life happily is
unstructured time--especially unstructured time outdoors.
It’s summer, the ideal time for unstructured outdoor time in
the Pacific Northwest. When you are home, you needn’t feel like you have to
think up something for kids to do. Let them play, let them create their own
things to do. Keep the electronic screens turned off and let the outdoors be
the predominant setting. Sit and read a book outside yourself, do a little
recreational cloud gazing and walking barefoot in the grass. Spend a lazy few
hours at Carkeek, Golden Gardens, or Discovery Park in the evenings and on
weekends. Build in down time for everyone under your roof. Just leave the
schedule blank. Allow spontaneous plans to develop. Let your child's creative ideas to flow. Protect time for them to wonder at backyard bugs or dust bunnies under the bed while playing
fort. Getting unstructured time is so important to family health . It keeps a
lid on stress and opens the doors of creativity. It is one of the best things
you can do for your child and your whole family, and it doesn’t cost a penny.
Here are a few links to articles that further explain the importance and
many benefits of intentionally creating more space in your child’s daily schedule
for free play, outdoor play and imaginative play.
In the comments section, please let us know your family’s
ideas for downtime and outdoor time, what your child has enjoyed and ways you’ve
tried to build in unstructured, unscheduled time. Wishing you great "down time" with your kids and a very happy and relaxing summer!!
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