Outdoor Play: Benefits & Precautions

Now that summer is officially here, you'll probably be spending more time outdoors with your children. To help you realize some of the hidden benefits of outdoor activity, as well as some of the precautions you'll want to take with your kids, National PTA offers the following articles.

Why Are So Many Kids Out of Shape?

Research shows that childhood obesity has been steadily increasing over the past 30 years. While childhood obesity can be caused by poor eating habits, it can also result from a lack of vigorous physical activity. The article "The Decline of Physical Activity: Why Are So Many Kids Out of Shape?" explores the ways in which children's lifestyles and the decline of physical education programs in schools across the country contribute to obesity and other problems. To counter this, parents should encourage their children to pursue active outdoor activities, such as walking or bike riding, as well as team sports, to burn excess calories and fat. While the necessary amount of healthy physical activity differs from age to age, children of all ages need at least 20 minutes of exercise at least three times a week.

"The Decline of Physical Activity: Why Are So Many Kids Out of Shape?" was featured in the April/May 2001 issue of National PTA's "Our Children" magazine: http://www.pta.org/cfplus/oc/ocapril01/featur/f2.htm

The Dark Side of the Sun

As you encourage your children to spend time outdoors, you'll want to make sure they're well-protected from the dangers of the sun. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in America today, and a highly preventable form at that. The article "The Dark Side of the Sun," by Tom Fry of Partners for Health Systems, Inc., offers three simple, yet essential, sun safety measures: limiting the amount of time spent in the sun, wearing protective clothing, and using sunscreen. Since just two blistering sunburns before age 20 can double the risk of skin cancer later in life, it's not a risk you want to take with yourself or your kids.

"The Dark Side of the Sun" appeared in the April/May 2002 issue of "Our Children" magazine: http://www.pta.org/cfplus/Ourchildren/features3.asp

Supervision + Recess = Injury Prevention

The playground is one of the most common sites for childhood injuries to occur. Many playground-related injuries are due to inadequate adult supervision. To learn more, read the article "Supervision + Recess = Injury Prevention" by Heather M. Olsen, Susan D. Hudson, and Donna Thompson of the National Program for Playground Safety.

This article was originally featured the April/May 2002 issue of "Our Children" magazine: http://www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/helpchild/oc_play.asp

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