We hear a lot about how our children are spending too much time inside and watching screens. Family time outside is vital – and promotes motor and brain development as well as family bonding. A quick walk in nature can be incredibly helpful for improving attention and wellness for families – a new study found. 

Our current problem is that we are pulled in by screens and technology in a relatively new way. This “pulling in” is even stronger for children who were born into the internet age – compared to those born in the 70s and 80s. Many children and teens – those born after the 1990s, don’t even know that they are stressed, as this is “the new normal.” Research shows that nature may be the key here. 

One way to accomplish this is to find toys and activities that are more engaging than our screens – which may be challenging to do. One activity specifically mentioned in this article is the flying maze toy. This is described as a combination of a frisbee and a maze combined into one. Another idea is to make a TikTok video of your family together and outside. This way, children could improve their motor skills, as well as video editing abilities!

Ethel Dvoskin

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

Article link: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smart-baby/202204/how-and-why-get-kids-nature

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