Gold star for state’s parents who are getting their kids outdoors

A a new report shows families are pulling out all the stops and getting their children to spend 10 hours or more each week outdoors — longer than the time spent online or watching television.

PARENTS’ heavy workloads and time constraints are the main barriers to Queensland children getting outdoors, but a new report shows families are pulling out all the stops and successfully getting kids into free-range play.

An evaluation of the Queensland Government’s Nature Play program by Griffith University shows that more children spend 10 hours or more each week outdoors — longer than the time spent online or watching television.

Eight out of 10 families go on a hike together for one hour every week.

More than 21,573 children have been registered online in the Nature Play project which is designed to tear the bubble wrap off kids under 12 years.

Carmel Vaughan, with her children Kadyn, 4, and Asha, 1, believes outdoor play is a must for their development. Picture: AAP/Steve Pohlner

Outdoor play has been found to increase environmental awareness and a sense of custodianship over natural environments.

“Queensland families are increasingly recognising that things need to change in order for them to give their children the type of childhood that they once had. The alarming rise in physical and emotional health and wellbeing issues among this generation can be directly linked to the way kids play,” program manager Hyahno Moser said.

Nature Play Queensland has issued almost 500,000 passports — a book with outdoor missions and stickers — to children.

“Parents are definitely looking for solutions to sedentary childhood concerns and we are happy that this research shows that Nature Play Queensland is helping them make these changes,” Mr Moser said.

A quarter of Australian children aged five to 14 are now overweight or obese and less than one in five kids get their recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

Close to one third exceed the recommended two hours of screen time per day.

Queensland mum Carmel Vaughan loves to take her children Kadyn, 4, and Asha, 1, outdoors.

“I let the two of them explore and climb trees. I know that teaching them risk assessment is a big part of their development,” Ms Vaughan said.

BENEFITS PARENTS SEE IN THEIR CHILDREN FROM OUTDOOR PLAY

— Environmental awareness.

— Development of a love for the natural world.

— Emotional wellbeing.

— Improved emotional self-regulation, sense of calm.

— Resilience.

— Cognitive development.

— Better problem solving.

— Boost to physical and motor skills.

— Risk-taking assessment.

Source: Griffith University