Outside time

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  • January 19, 2008 at 11:41 pm
    CindyS
    Participant

    I’m curious as to how much time your children spend outside on a daily (or near daily) basis. I did not put this under nature study (though Sonya or Karen may move it 🙂 ), because I’m talking about ‘just go out and play time.’ However, I’d be interested in knowing your time tables for that, as well. Thanks, I have such a difficult time getting to the point where we can get out the door (even just to our own backyard!). Of course I have some that I can just send out; but I want to be able to enjoy some time outside with my little ones as well. I blame it on the busyness of a large family, but I want to have priorities correctly in line. Your input will help me develop something to aim for. Thanks so much!

    Blessings,

    Cindy

    January 20, 2008 at 3:38 am
    hvfth99
    Member

    I’m jealous that you are considering so much outside play time, as the current temp. here in the Chicago area is -6 degrees!!!! I’m feeling guilty that we haven’t been doing our weekly nature walks because of the inordinate time it takes to get snow pants and boots on! Enjoy your weather, wherever you are, for the rest of us who are frozen in until spring! LOL!

    Faith 🙂

    January 20, 2008 at 3:49 am
    Karen Smith
    Moderator

    Outdoor play time is something we have struggled with over the years. When my kids were little, I used to get them outside as much as possible. They loved riding bikes, playing on the swing set, and having water fights with squirt guns and water balloons.

    However as they grew older they didn’t like going outside as much and there seemed to be no time for it as we were trying to complete schoolwork. One day I noticed that my kids were dragging their feet between subjects and that maybe they needed a short break in the morning just to run off some energy. That’s when I got the great idea to send them outside for about 15 minutes each day. It gave the boys some time to run and yell and burn off some of that extra energy they always seem to have. I was surprised to find out that giving them that time didn’t make our school day longer, even on the days when it took them 15 minutes to get ready to go outside (such as in the winter when they had to put on boots, mittens, etc.) I think the exercise helped to refresh their minds so they were ready to learn when they came back in. By the way, our break time is between our family time and their independent work.

    Things have changed slightly since my kids are now junior high/high school age. We still have a break in the morning but I only insist on the kids going outside when the weather is nice or when the boys are getting particularly rowdy. The boys usually make up games and my daughter and I walk the dogs. We are usually outside for at least 20 minutes.

    Any other time the kids spend outside just playing varies with the weather, what they find to do, and who is around to do things with.

    Hope that helped.

    Karen

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