Page 58 - Robeson Living Fall 2020

Falling in Love with Outside

By Shea Ann DeJarnette, Extension 4-H
Youth Development Agent
Lumberton, N.C. -- Remember not too long ago, back when ing learning online. They have to get out and draw the “board”
we were concerned our children were choosing to spend too which helps them work on their relative spaces and distances.
much time on devices? Seems like a nonproblem now as they It works their arm muscles as they have to toss an item into a
are glued to devices four times longer to keep them safe and square. Their cardiovascular system will get a workout as they
educated. The same issues of screen time still exist: lack of work their way up and down the board trying to make sure they
activity, increased obesity, and now a concern over a vitamin D aren’t out. On top of all that, they are outside and soaking in
(aka sunshine) deficiency. vitamin D without even trying; we call that a BONUS!

With kids getting worn out on devices sometimes it’s hard to Also, think about a treasure hunt. While they are inside on the
push them outside. If you can adjust their schedules, create a computer, grab a couple of items and hide them outside. When
small recess time where they have to go outside and run around they are done ask them if they want to go on a treasure hunt.
in the sunshine. Maybe if they finish lunch early they can go You can give them clues (helps their problem-solving skills),
out in the backyard and play. If they aren’t ones who like to be maybe give them a map (works with their logic and reasoning
outdoors it may be time to introduce them to some fun things skills), or even play the hot-or-cold game (they are hot when
that can only be done outside. they are close and cold when they are far away from the item).
The life skills they will gain from this one game will be amaz-
Something simple when I was a kid (ok, maybe I am putting ing: they will have fun, you can build memories, and (that’s
my age out there) was playing hopscotch. Although a simple right, BONUS) they will be soaking in some vitamin D.
game that is lots of fun, but when you think about it, you can
also check off several things that our children might be miss- No, not everything has to be done during daylight. Try a back-

Page 58 Robeson Living ~ Fall 2020