The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is proud to be part of Long Island's Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Education. Visit its web page for links to all partner organizations. Many have important resources to offer: www.nassauboces.org/rtac
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Kids are playing outside less; experts are worrying more
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According to a recent study, more than half of preschoolers don't regularly go outside to play, says Vanessa LoBue, writing for Psychology Today. And she's concerned. Director of the Child Study Center at Rutgers University-Newark, LoBue sees more children in structured activities and child care settings, more parents working longer hours--and, of course, kids spending time on those tantalizing electronic devices. This means they're missing out on the many benefits of unstructured outdoor play.
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Outdoor play has so many health advantages that even the American Academy of Pediatrics prescribes it. "And while it's true that children can play physically while they're indoors and even at school," says Lo Bue, "research indicates that playing outdoors where children are free to choose their own fun is where the most physical activity is likely to happen."
And then there are the cognitive and learning aspects of outdoor play. One is the need to recharge after academic lessons; another is learning about the natural environment. Finally, kids are happier and make more friends when they're playing outside on their own.
"Let your children play in the spring grass," concludes LoBue, "knowing it will help rejuvenate their minds and bodies, and even promote those much-needed connections with nature and each other."
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More kids are nearsighted--and screens aren't the problem
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Decreased exposure to outdoor light is a major factor in increasing myopia rates in children, according to New York Times personal health columnist Jane E. Brody. Speculating that we're raising a generation of "Mr. Magoos," she notes that one study showed nearsightedness increasing in U.S. children from 25% to 42%. In Southeast Asia, other research finds even more students who resemble the cartoon character with poor vision: as many as 90% of high school students are myopic.
Many people believe that excessive reading or time spent on screens fosters nearsightedness, says Brody. But current thinking is that too much time indoors is the real culprit. "The high intensity of outdoor light has an important influence on the shape of the eye," according to an expert opthamologist, "which in turn affects whether images are seen clearly."
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A call to avoid "schoolification" of children
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It's a new word to us, but educators and psychologists in the UK are using it as part of a campaign to build more unstructured play back into children's lives. "Schoolification" refers to the emphasis on academics and planned activities. In fact, The Guardian reports that a survey revealed that most British children aren't allowed to play outside on their own until the age of 11--two years later than in their parents' generation. What's more, their play is less adventurous.
"Huge numbers of children have had a miserable year," is the quote from expert Tim Gill. "I hope one of the things the pandemic might prompt is a step back to allow a holistic look at children's lives and wellbeing." Read more.
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Mom with a mission: "1,000 hours outside"
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2,000 hours a year in front of screens? Only 4 to 7 minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play? These are the results of recent research into how children are spending their time--and it's resulting in more interest in one Michigan mother's efforts to get children more fresh air.
According to a local ABC12NEWS report, Ginny Yurich now has 400,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram for her "1,000 Hours Outside" campaign. But even she says it's not about the numbers, but about the benefits for kids. "It helps them academically, surprisingly. It helps them emotionally and socially and physically."
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45 ways to take science outdoors
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Did you know you can do an experiment to test the power of sunscreen? Compost food scraps in a plastic soda bottle? Make a DIY seed pod--and then explode it? These are just three of the ideas for outdoor science experiments collected by educator Jill Staake for the We Are Teachers website.
Each activity includes a photo, a brief description and a link to a website for complete information. For example, Spring Nature Bingo is from the Massachusetts Audubon Society and instructions on becoming a human sundial can be found on Scholastic (see photo). Read more.
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Sign up now for our Summer Institute
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This summer we're offering weekly webinars for teachers, teacher assistants, administrators, directors and other early childhood practitioners. They're free, but pre-registration is required. For the full list of virtual Wednesday morning workshops, visit our website. We're starting off with a nationally known speaker for our keynote:
Beyond Butterflies and Books: Supporting Young Children's Science Inquiry and Thinking
Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Presenter: Cindy Hoisington, Education Development Center, Waltham, MA
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The Long Island Pre-K Initiative is a collaborating partner in the state-funded Long Island Regional Technical Assistance Center for Pre-K and Early Childhood Education.
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71 Clinton Rd. Garden City, NY 11530-9195
Phone: 516-396-2220
www.nassauboces.org/pre-k
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