How to Get Outside in a World Full of Screens.
If you’ve ever wondered how to get your child to spend more time outside, you’re not alone.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, the average American child spends 14x more time in front of a screen than engaged in unstructured outdoor play. It’s getting harder and harder to unplug! Children benefit immensely from unstructured time in green spaces, but our lives are busy, and nature is getting harder and harder to access.
That’s why adults need to commit to outdoor play!
The 2 Essentials for Raising an Outdoor Kid
There are two essential elements for outdoor play that benefits children the most::
1. Green spaces. This can be your backyard, a park, a hiking trail, a city greenbelt, a garden… anywhere your child will:
– Encounter living plants and animals.
– Experience the natural elements (sun, wind, rain).
Bonus if these spaces also include:
– Distance from man-made infrastructure (roads, buildings).
– Natural landforms to observe and explore (hills, creeks, meadows).
2. Unstructured time. While it’s helpful to come prepared to play, give your child space to decide what they want to do. Children under the age of six are in the process of “constructing” their minds. That means that exploration and self-determined activity are critical for their development. Time spent outdoors at soccer practice is very different from time spent looking for bugs in the grass! For young children, the process of play involves a great deal of repetition. If your child has settled into an activity, give them time (within reason) to decide when they’re finished. If you’re afraid your child will miss out on engaging with something, you can always come back!
Thankfully, families in Boise have TONS of places to spend time outside! From parks to playgrounds, gardens to the greenbelt, there’s a wealth of outdoor spaces to enjoy if we prioritize it.
How to Get Your Child Outside More (Some Real-Life Strategies)
For a lot of families, turning off the TV and getting out the door can be a struggle. If you’re trying to go screen-free and increase outdoor play, start here:
First, try to think of screen time as a limited resource. Screen time can “crowd out” other activities that your child needs to support their development, like playing in nature and connecting with family. Remember that your time with your child is limited. Create a “screen time budget” for the members in your family. Using the American Academy of Pediatrics Five C’s Guide, thoughtfully consider the purpose behind any screen time for your child.
Now that you’ve committed, all you need to do is get out there! Use these simple strategies for increasing your time outside:
Keep it social. Children are motivated to spend quality time with their family or peers! Plan your child’s playdates at green spaces, rather than a structured indoor activity. (This is a great time for YOU to enjoy socializing with other parents, too). Spend your “together time” in the yard, park, or garden after school.
Make it a habit. Routine and consistency are key for children. Budget small, manageable amounts of time during the week to go for a walk or stop by the park.
Stay flexible. Did your child spend the whole afternoon at the park lounging under the slide? That’s okay! Unstructured time involves play that might not look like much. The point is to allow your child’s growing mind to direct their own play, in a space where they can access nature. They’re absorbing more than we realize!
Gear up. There’s no such thing as bad weather if you’re prepared! Waterproof layers are key for winter months, and sun protection is perfect for summer. Outdoor games and toys (did someone say bubble machine?) can keep longer outings fresh.
Be mess-friendly. Playing in sand, mud, dirt, and water are sensorially engaging and great for children’s health! Pack spare clothes and towels if you’re traveling, and cover car seats and floor mats if you’re driving. Don’t forget a bag for wet clothes!
Make it fun for you, too. Do you prefer gardening to hiking? That’s okay! Show your children the ways that you enjoy being outside… it will naturally raise their interest!
Your Child’s Daytime Environment Matters!
Finally, partner with your child’s daytime home! Young children can spend upwards of 40 hours per week in full-time care. That time should include plenty of opportunities to engage directly with nature… whether it’s an urban garden, a play yard, or a park. Even having pets and plants in the classroom is helpful for reinforcing children’s interest in the natural world.
Your child’s preschool should focus on real experiences, not screen time. Remember your mental “screen time budget” for your child? How much screen time do they get if they engage with TVs, games, or tablets at home AND at preschool? If your family uses screen time, save your budget for thoughtful home uses.
A Screen-Free, Nature-Focused Approach at Lakewood Montessori
At Lakewood Montessori, in Boise, ID, we are 100% screen-free. Better yet, we spend two hours MINIMUM outside, plus an outdoor morning every week (April through September). All of our classrooms have a dedicated outdoor space, and our playground is curated to encourage different kinds of outdoor play. We use a combination of prepared spaces to make sure every child can find the type of play that they need:
– Large and small loose parts areas.
– Play structures for climbing.
– Child-accessible gardens.
– Sand and water play space.
– Swings for vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation.
– Outdoor art space.
– Reading areas and cozy spaces.
– Spaces for animal observation and care.
These areas are the result of research and observation. We studied successful play spaces and styles, and incorporated our research gradually over time. We tailor risky play and forest school practices to our own outdoor footprint. We also bring nature into the classroom with indoor plants and pets, and a year-round garden curriculum and greenhouse. At our Boise preschool, we know that children who engage with nature are building their understanding of our interconnected world (and their important place in it)!
Come See It for Yourself!
Reading about outdoor play is one thing, but being able to see it in action is completely different.
If you’re looking for a preschool where your child can spend hours outside each day and grow in a calm, screen-free environment, we’d love to show you what that looks like!
A tour is the best way to experience our spaces, meet our team, and get a feel for how your child would spend their days at Lakewood Montessori.
Schedule a tour today!
