25-09 - Flipbook - Page 146
Mi n i str i es
One hour outside a day = smarter, more creative kids.
A large-scale Canadian study has confirmed what many parents already sense: kids thrive when they play outdoors. Researchers tracked over 800 children aged 10313 and found that just 60 minutes a day of unstructured outdoor play led to
greater creativity, stronger problem-solving skills, and healthier emotional development.
Outdoor play promotes exploration, independence, and resilience 4 benefits that screens simply can9t match. Children
who had access to peers, safe neighborhoods, and supportive parents spent significantly more time outside. In contrast,
fear of safety issues, lack of supervision, and excessive screen time kept many indoors.
The decline is stark. Today9s youth spend far less time roaming neighborhoods or engaging in unstructured activities compared to previous generations. Researchers stress that cultural and environmental barriers 4 from over-scheduled routines
to digital distractions 4 are eroding opportunities for free play.
The findings highlight a pressing need for child-friendly communities. Policies that expand safe play areas, encourage unsupervised exploration, and reduce barriers could help reverse sedentary lifestyles while boosting children9s cognitive, social, and emotional well-being.
