"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."
Did you know that there are many benefits to playing outside? Hands-on outdoor activities have been shown to increase students’ excitement for learning and memory of the material. Outside play has been shown to increase confidence and creativity along with decision making and problem-solving skills.
Need proof? According to Dr. Ming Kou, a researcher studying child behavior at the University of Illinois at Urbanda-Chapaign, “found that children are more engaged during outdoor learning and are better able to focus after time was spent outside”. An additional study done by the University of Wisconsin, found that “outdoor education improves performance on standardized tests and classroom behavior”.
Are you up for the adventure? I challenge you this week to take the kids outside. Spend time outside reading each day, do a science experiment on the porch or have students, review a learning topic with sidewalk or do a group scavenger hunt around the playground. If you have small kids, spend time each day playing outside. Take them swimming, fishing or let them jump on the trampoline. On the weekends, take them to the beach for a little time on the water. Your children will love the fresh air and excitement of being outdoors!
WAYS TO LIVE WITH LESS
Teach your children that experiences are more fulfilling than material items.
Share fun outdoor experiences with your children weekly. Ex: Play in the pool or go to a playground with friends. Plan a trip to the beach. Go on a hike with the family or go fishing.
More friendships will result as you encourage your kids to play with friends outside.
At holidays request, to get experiences as a gift. Ex: Zoo memberships, aquarium memberships, museum and bounce-house memberships.
Encourage your kids to pick out items to play with that can be recycled for science experiments and art materials.
Having less toys will increase more creativity as children develop ways to play with old toys in new ways.
Teach your children to share their items with ‘friends’ at a local children’s organization. Ex: During the spring, have your children find items that they no longer use or wear and donate them to a local shelter. Then, around the holidays, go through your items again to see what you can make room for as your kids get new gifts.
Join a minimalist Facebook group and encourage you to live minimalistically every day.
Living minimalistically is a challenge for any teacher and parent, but teaching our kids about living with less is the first step. Less mess can bring about better moods, more time outside playing and a heart to share what we have with others! As a result, life will be full of more living!
REFERENCES:
https://bit.ly/3JIeIsM
https://bit.ly/3lfqi56