Being Active in Nature Improves Mental and Physical Health for Kids: Infographic
I am constantly encouraging my four-year-old son to get outside and exercise with me. He doesn’t always want to do it, but sometimes I will pull the “we have to go for a walk” or “play tag outside” before we watch TV. My son is a TV/tablet lover and if it were up to him he would be on electronics all evening after preschool. As a parent, I admit that it is easier to just let him “watch something” or “play with an app” because I have a million things to get done and just want to relax after work, but I know the benefits of exercise for kids, and I consciously ensure that I don’t let it fall to the wayside.
Nightly exercise along with some other activities that I try to incorporate such as helping with a chore, playing a board game, completing something crafty, helping mommy cook, or reading a book goes a long way towards reducing problem behaviors.
I can genuinely see the difference in my son when he has had a “too much TV/tablet night” and yes I have been guilty of that, versus a night with a little bit of electronics mixed with activities that assist in brain and body development. He tends to be more cooperative when I need him to do something like brush his teeth or take a bath, he is more relaxed (my son has a ton of energy), and he has a better day at school the next day.
Knowing this, I work hard to get in a few activities every night, mix in his favorite show, and/or let him play an educational game on my phone/tablet. He loves Letter School on my iPhone which teaches him how to trace and make letters. I am all for “doing things in moderation!”
Anyway, being such a big supporter of “it is so good for kids to get exercise and be outside” I was doing research on the topic and came across this informational infographic which I thought was done well, and beneficial for my audience to read. I hope you like it as much as I do!
If it is hard to make out the words in the infographic on small screens, I listed the facts under the image as well.
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Rachel Wise is the author and founder of Education and Behavior. Rachel created Education and Behavior in 2014 for adults to have an easy way to access research-based information to support children in the areas of learning, behavior, and social-emotional development. As a survivor of abuse, neglect, and bullying, Rachel slipped through the cracks of her school and community. Education and Behavior hopes to play a role in preventing that from happening to other children. Rachel is also the author of Building Confidence and Improving Behavior in Children: A Guide for Parents and Teachers.
“Children do best when there is consistency within and across settings (i.e., home, school, community). Education and Behavior allows us to maintain that consistency.”
Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet, 10.1", 1080p Full HD, 32 GB, latest model (2021 release), Black
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus tablet, 10.1", 1080p Full HD, 32 GB, latest model (2021 release), Slate
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