Building Strong Bones at the Playground

Bone health is just as important for children as it is adults.  In fact, building strong bones in their early years sets them up for a lifetime of good health and lowered risk of osteoporosis.  According to recent research, children who play regularly and get active exercise have stronger bones, especially hip bones, than those who are not as active. 

Building strong bones in kids is as easy as letting them run loose at a playground or park. Typical kid-play, like kicking the ball, riding a bike, running, jumping, playing hide-and-seek, are all great forms of vigorous play.  Additionally, any weight-bearing activity that pumps your child's heart rate is also a strong qualifier.  Remember to serve up yummy foods rich in Calcium and Vitamin D.  Boosting good bone health just can't get any easier than this.

Top 7 Benefits of Playing Outdoors

Playing outside?  What a great idea!

According to research, children are smarter, more cooperative, happier and healthier when they have varied opportunities for free, unstructured outdoor play.*  

Here are 7 benefits of playing outdoors:

1. Creative, imaginative play.  A simple example:  It's much more thrilling for a child to pretend to be an airline pilot under the big blue sky than it is to be inside.

2. Promotes emotional coping and stress reduction.  We like to call outdoor play a "re-set button."

3. Improved physical health and motor coordination. Kids that run around nature, are working to develop their whole body.  Hopping from boulder to boulder, for example, is true test of balance!

4. Cognitive, social and sensory development.  Nature's elements and specially designed playground equipment offer just the right stimulation for children of all disabilities.

5. Concentration, self-control and self-discipline.  The outdoors is full of learning experiences that can be achieved from individual, parallel and group play. 

6. Creative problem-solving skills. Kids can be exposed to situations that teach them about basic life skills and challenges.

7. An appreciation for the environment.  With guidance, children can discover nature and the world around them. Through engagement, they will also learn to respect it.

* Children and Nature 2008: A report on the movement to reconnect children to the Natural World