Isn’t it just scary how a mere three-year-old toddler can take your tablet PC, go online, and download some games that they subsequently enjoy playing, and yet they probably can’t even speak properly as yet and don’t quite fully know what the names of all the different basic shapes are? It appears as if this generation just has a natural affinity with all these little electronics and gadgets which undeniably form a very big part of all our lives, but rather worryingly it’s more on a consumer level than at the level of the developers or producers.
Sure, nobody expects a three-year-old to be a programming prodigy and that’s not what’s implied here. Rather, it’s worrying that kids are constantly indoors and exploring what is essentially the glossed-up and filtered version of the world through a tiny mobile phone screen if not through a full-sized computer sitting in the study or on their iPads. It remains to be seen just how much of an effect this is going to have on the kids of the Millennial generation, which is rather concerning since we’ll have to deal with the situation as it arises. We might be faced with a unique set of challenges for which nobody appears to have a solution and we could be headed for disaster.
Granted, Millennials could be said to be in that situation themselves, with job scarcity and a global economy that seems to have sold us dreams that don’t have even the remotest chance of coming true, but we’re dealing with it, in one way or the other.
Now, if you have kids of your own you’re probably worried about the fact that they’re missing out on a whole lot of the joys of childhood, such as the simple pleasure of being able to go outside, call on your friends to join you, armed with nothing more than an imagination, only to have the time of your lives! Getting the kids to play outside again is not some unsolvable conundrum and it starts with just showing them just how much fun they can have outside.
It does slip their minds, you know?
Be proactive and pick up the ball and tell them that everybody in the house is going outside to play catch, kickabout, or whatever else will engage everybody. Obviously, you probably don’t have nearly enough energy to keep up with the little ones, so you can’t enjoy the outdoor fun with them for the many hours that they enjoy it, but all it takes to set the ball rolling is to be that spark sometimes. You could even build a small corner summer house in your garden to relax in and keep an eye on your kids whilst they play on the lawn.
Alternatively, you can opt for a patio where you can unwind, enjoy the fresh air, and spend some quality family time. What’s more? This addition, which can be built with the help of a Patio Builder Penrith (or a professional of comparable caliber in another location), can provide an open and unobstructed view of the outdoor area. Its design can allow for a more direct line of sight, making it easier to monitor and supervise children as they engage in play activities. This visibility can further ensure that you can stay connected with their playtime while still enjoying a relaxing outdoor environment.
That said, if your garden is spacious and you can’t keep a constant watch on them, it’s a prudent move to install a fence around the play area. This ensures their safety and allows you to periodically check on them while attending to your other tasks. You can reach out to a reputable Fence contractor in Rockwall, TX, or in your local area to get the fence installed. This way, they can participate in their outdoor activities, even if you’re not up for running around with them. Of course, don’t just choose any fence. It needs to be tall and sturdy because you’d be surprised how creative kids can be when it comes to getting out! Not only that, but you want one which is aesthetically pleasing, so try vinyl fencing installation Red Deer for some high-quality fencing.
Whenever they are outside, encourage them to engage in some activities, like taking the dog for a walk. Chances are on the way back from walking the dog they will have come across something in the great outdoors which has them eager to get right back outside after having a bit of lunch or coming back in to put the leash away.
Alternatively, you can purchase playground equipment like swingsets and get them installed in your backyard to entice your kids to spend time outdoors. It is a great way to make kids step outside and enjoy the fresh air, sunlight, and natural environment. While playing on a swing set, kids can learn to pump their legs and propel themselves, which can gradually help develop their self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment in mastering a new skill.
Conclusion
Expose them to the outdoors, and the natural instinct to play outside again will come flooding back. This will help you to reduce screen time, which is quite important at the current time when kids are glued to electronic devices. They need to connect with the world outside, especially nature which acts as a teacher. This would, eventually, help in developing their survival instincts.
Leave a Reply