Kids need to be outside

Many studies have shown that exposure to natural environments can benefit children, including their academic, social and emotional development.

A 2019 study by the National Institutes of Health warns that some parents discourage playing in nature for safety concerns.

“This disconnection from nature is having important consequences for children’s overall well-being and development directly impacting cognitive development, independence, and creativity,” the study reads.

The Bristol School District is particularly concerned about children whose schooling began during the COVID pandemic shutdowns, when much of their time was spent interacting with electronic screens.

“Just having them outside away from screens gives them a different opportunity to communicate to their peers,” said Amy Coleman, the district’s chief academic officer and director of curriculum.

“Get back to learning how to have conversations, to listen, to question, to be exposed to things that otherwise they may not be exposed to,” she said.

In Philadelphia, a similar concern over pandemic-era elementary students spurred a trio of pediatricians from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to launch Prescribe Outside, a partnership that connects Philadelphia children to outdoor programs in natural areas.

The cohort includes CHOP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Sierra Club, Temple University Center for Sustainable Communities and Let’s Go Outside, an organization making outdoor spaces more accessible to Philadelphians, particularly underserved and people of color.

“In recent years children have been spending more time indoors and on devices, which has negatively impacted their health,” said Dr. Barbara Rolnick, one of the founders of Prescribe Outside, in an online video. “We see patients every day with behavioral and physical health concerns, which could be improved by spending time outside in nature.”

Prescribe Outside helped draft the Pennsylvania Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, which includes items like the ability to breathe clean air, play in safe parks and access free or low-cost outdoor programs. Earlier this month, it was endorsed by state elected officials, including Gov. Josh Shapiro.