Take It Outside

Take it Outside Week

Young children and the outdoors just go together – naturally. That's why Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play (HSBS) is promoting Take it Outside Week October 16 – 22nd, 2011 – to encourage educators, families and caregivers to make time outdoors an important part of young children's daily lives.

Did you know:

• Today's children spend less time outdoors than any generation in history?
• American preschoolers watch 32 hours of television a week?
• Outdoor play provides more opportunities for moderate to vigorous activity (MVPA) than indoor play?
• Current research indicates that children who regularly play outdoors are healthier, smarter and happier than children who do not?

With benefits like that, what are we waiting for?! Let's commit to give young children the opportunity to move, play and learn outdoors every day. It's time to expand the playroom and classroom walls and Take it Outside!

Why not host a Take it Outside event at your center or in your neighborhood?!
Event Ideas:

• Host a Family Play Day filled with lots of outdoor games and activities
• Host a Family Gardening Day and plant fall flowers and shrubs and grasses to enhance your outdoor space
• Host a Nature Play Day – go for a nature hike, build forts and dens and dig for worms

http://www.aahperd.org/headstartbodystart/news/take-it-outside-week-2011.cfm