Are Children Missing Out On The Great Outdoors-Some Think They Are.

[Tawnyowl]

What do you think.

Are some children missing out on the great outdoors and what it offers.

Do you think perhaps as technology came in things changed.

Do you really think computers help children learn or do you still believe in the old ways.

 

I myself am obsessed with the outdoors ever since a child.The smells as you walk through woods.

The crashing waves,and things you can learn on the shoreline.

 

A walk through a forest.

The unexpected nature you come across.That never fails to amaze you.

First forest i came across was Grizedale Forest in the Lake District.Still think of it to this day.

 

Castles and places like that where you can tell some stories,sometimes tall ones if you feel so inclined.

Or your local park,a exciting place to visit.

 

For myself it started when i went looking for a Dipper(a bird) in Wales.With a chap called Cluellyn Magnus Jones in Denbighshire.Way back in the 60s

And came across hundreds of rabbits in a field unexpectedly.

Just wondering what you out there think of things.

 

Only problem i find as you get slightly older is the fresh air puts you out when you get home.

No harm in that and the youngsters sleep well as well.

All that fresh air.

Just not keen on some questions like-"In your time was everything black and white".

 

 

With research suggesting that children aren't spending enough time in the great outdoors, Caroline Fitton of the local Wildlife Trust explains why we should be doing more to nurture their love of all things natural.

 

From a falling leaf to a cloud in the sky, nature captures every child's inquisitive sense of wonder. Spending plenty of time outdoors and engaging with nature and wildlife is one of the best things for any child, helping to develop fertile imaginations and bestowing a lifelong appreciation of the natural world.

 

For many of us, spending time outside when we were young was a large and very valuable part of our childhoods; new technology and increased 'screen' time now bring concerns that the new generation are increasingly missing out.

 

Much more on the link.

 

Read more: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/kids-engaging-nature-little-help-Wildlife-Trust/story-28183303-detail/story.html#ixzz3rgNi1XGr

[tobyjugg2]

Absolutely YES

[Sparks_]

Kids are so restricted now, all this stranger danger, dont climb trees, dont play with conckers, dont get dirty....how will they learn?

[leigh04]

My youngest whose 13 loves the outdoors he hates being stuck indoors which he currently is as he's on a long grounding lol

[caro]

My nephew is heavily involved in setting up outward bound centres across the country, to the extent that he was seconded to the Cabinet office for 6 months. Children learn so much and their confidence grows as they try activities they wouldn't normally have the opportunity to try.

 

It is also recognised that much younger children can benefit. My daughter is taking a qualification as a forest school leader to teach nursery age children about the great outdoors. I'd never heard of it but it seems to be well recognised as beneficial. In fact her assessor is with her today seeing her put the theory into action.

 

It can only be good for children to learn and enjoy the great outdoors and what it has to offer.

[determindator]

The Germans embrace the outdoor approach to early education rather than formal education and looks like it's paid off.

[citizenB]

It is very sad that so many youngsters are missing out by not being encouraged to be out of doors either exploring nature or involved in sports .

 

Born and brought up on a farm, I was never indoors. School had access to grassed areas as well as hard core pitches. We also had access to sports grounds that were used by many schools in the area.

 

At home we didn't have television - so if the weather was bad - our indoor entertainment was radio and books - jigsaw puzzles - card games.

 

I walked 2 miles each way to school up until my Junior schooling. If the weather was bad, Father used to pick us up on the tractor.

 

We lived in a small village so everyone knew everyone.

 

I loved my bicycle, roller skates or scooter.

 

We joined clubs - cubs - scouts - brownies - girl guides and went on camping trips.

 

Then society moved on. Our youngsters are ferried back and forth to school in cars, regardless of the distance.

Parents and children alike are scared to speak to strangers (for very good reason)

School sports fields were sold off as they sat on prime building land.

School grounds were built on to cater for increased pupil intake.

 

Lack of Adults wanting to volunteer for clubs or sports because of Health and safety or CRB Checks or work commitments.

 

First television and then computers keep our youngsters inside

Working Mothers mean that youngsters aren't ferried to available park land where youngsters can play.

 

Increase in travel costs don't allow for some families to have a "day at the seaside"

 

An increase in blocks of flats where the green spaces are used as dog toilets or meeting places for gangs

 

Increase in consumerism where youngsters would rather hang round shopping centres than green spaces.

 

Health and safety and compensation culture is also to blame.