To bolster the global level of the background and need section of my research, I have been reading more and more about the health crisis children are going through due to decreased outdoor, unstructured play time, and increased time spent indoors using screen based media. The articles I read show how this trend is happening all over the world.
What perspectives did the three new research articles offer? In the first research article I read, done by the National Wildlife Federation, it was found that in the United States kids devote only 4-7 minutes a day in unstructured, outdoor play, but seven hours a day in front of electronic media. In this article entitled “Whole Child: Developing Mind, Body, and Spirit through Outdoor Play”, I read again about how childhood obesity has more than doubled in the past several decades. It is up to 17.6 percent of kids between 12 and 19 years old. Also, it is 70% likely that obese children grow up to be obese adults. The health risks linked to obesity include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, asthma, joint pain, fatty liver, and reduced life span. Also, the Center for Disease Control, or CDC found that there are around 5 million kids who are diagnosed with ADHD. The causes of this are not definitively known, but studies have pointed to things ranging from better diagnostics, chemicals in our food, and increased media usage. While not found to be a cure, researchers in Illinois found that outdoor play may be “widely effective” in reducing its symptoms. The prescription of antidepressants for children has risen sharply. In one four year study, researchers found that over the course of their study, antidepressant prescriptions rose 50%. 2 million children are on antidepressants, and the fastest growing segment of users are 0-5 years olds. In this article they talk about national movements going on to try to reverse these trends. In one 2003 study called “Environmental Education, Improving Student Achievement”, researchers compared 77 schools of similar demographics. Half had environmental education programs and the other half did not. The researchers found that found that on standardized tests, the ones with environmental components scored better in math, reading, writing, and listening. A 2004 study on environment based learning found that 400 students grades 9-12 in 11 Florida high schools were studied to measure the effectiveness of the Environment as an Integrated Context for Learning, or EIC model schools. Again, researchers found that on the Achievement Motivation Inventory, Cornell Critical Thinking Test, and the California Measure of Mental Motivation, EIC programs significantly raised score results. Outdoor play increases physical activity and is associated not only with better test scores, but also a variety of health benefits. It’s been shown to stimulate active imaginations, improve teamwork and problem solving skills, and reduce stress levels. It increases compassion and improves social bonds, promotes positive emotional development, improves vision, and increases muscle fitness, bone strength, and vitamin D levels. Then I re-read parts of a 68 page article by the Children and Nature Network, which seems to fill the same role in England as the National Wildlife Federation fills in the United States. This article is called Children and Nature Worldwide: An Exploration of Children’s Experiences of the Outdoors and Nature with Associated Risks and Benefits. The article provides an evidence base for the importance of children’s and youth’s connections with nature. It looks at many different research studies from around the world. It is a treasure trove of information on the subject. The Outdoor Foundation in Boulder, Colorado did a study in 2009 that had the following key findings: 59% of 6-to 24 year-olds participated in outdoor recreation (defined as having taken part in one or more of 40 activities at least once during 2008). Youth participants made up 34% of all outdoor recreation participants. Participation in outdoor recreation was highest among 6-to 12-year-olds at 64%, declined to 61% for 13-to 17-year-olds, and declined further to 54% for 18-to 24-year-olds. Youth participation in outdoor recreation declined since 2006 in all age groups and among both boys and girls. The rate of decline was greatest among 6-to 12-year-old girls (77% in 2006 versus 58% in 2008). More males participated in outdoor recreation than females (56% versus 44%). More Caucasians participated in outdoor recreation than other ethnic populations (79% versus 7.4% for African Americans). Running, bicycling, and freshwater fishing were the most popular outdoor activities among youth. Parents, friends, and family were the strongest influences in getting younger children to participate in outdoor recreation. 46% of youth reported that lack of time and interest kept them from participating in outdoor activities more often. Youth with nearby walking and biking routes participated in more outdoor recreation (21% more for walking routes and 25% more for biking routes). That’s a good snapshot of what was going on in the USA ten years ago. The Outdoor Foundation. (2010). Special report on youth: The next generation of outdoor champions. Boulder. This report is available online at: http://www.outdoorfoundation.org/research.youth.html Another study, done in England, was done by a group called Play England, on their country’s annual Playday in 2010. Play England conducted a literature review, a qualitative study, and an opinion poll related to community-based play. In the literature review, the researcher discusses evidence related to the benefits of community play, children’s use of community spaces, and attitudes towards children’s use of community spaces. The survey consisted of 1,000 adults and 1,000 children aged 7-14. The data highlights of this study are many. They include that compared to the previous generation, children today have fewer friends they can play with in their neighborhood. Adults reported having an average of 14 friends when they were children, compared to an average of just 6 friends for children today. 79% of adults reported that they believe community spirit has declined since they were children. Children’s ability to play outside is limited due to safety concerns. For example, 49% of adults reported that they do not let their children play outside without an adult. The biggest concern for parents was road accidents. 55% of parents reported that they are concerned that their neighbors might get upset if their children make noise outside. Children are often negatively judged by adults. For example, 24% of children reported that they have been scolded for playing ball games in their neighborhood. People are hesitant to get involved with children in the community. For example, 44% of men reported that they would be concerned about approaching a child who needed help because others might think they were trying to abduct the child. People recognize the benefits of children playing outside for their community. For example, 88% of parents reported that they believe that children playing outside helps community members get to know each other. Playday. Playday 2010 opinion poll survey. Gleave, J. (2010). Making it our place: Community views on children's play. Play England.Gleave, J. (2010). Community play: A literature review. Play England. These reports are available online at: http://www.playday.org.uk/playday_campaigns/2010_theme.aspx In a study done in Australia, researchers found that outdoor play has changed dramatically in one generation. In 2011 Planet Ark surveyed 1,000 adults and children ages 14-65 and found the following results: There has been a huge decline in children’s outdoor play. For example, 73% of respondents reported playing outdoors more often than indoors when they were young as compared to only 13% of their children. They also found that 1 in 10 children today play outside once a week or less.The nature of children’s outdoor play has changed. For example, 64% of respondents reported climbing trees when they were children as compared to less than 20% of their children. Respondents believe in the benefits of outdoor play. For example, 93% of respondents agreed that outdoor play helps children develop physical and motor skills. There are a number of barriers (perceived and real) that impact children’s outdoor play. For example, 33% of respondents reported that crime and safety concerns are a barrier to their child’s outdoor play as compared to 9% who reported that crime and safety concerns were a barrier when they were young. Routine opportunities for outdoor play have declined, such as walking or bicycling to school. For example, 75% of respondents reported that they lived close enough to walk or bike to school when they were children, as compared to just 37% of children today. Planet Ark. (2011). Climbing trees: Getting Aussie kids back outdoors. This report is available online at: http://treeday.planetark.org/about/health-benefits.cfm In the United States again, researchers with The Nature Conservancy found that several factors influence children’s connection with nature. In a nationwide poll of 602 children between 13 and 17, they found the following highlights: Children spend a lot of time engaged in electronic media. For example, 88% of children reported using a computer almost every day, while only 11% of children reported visiting a local park or natural area almost every day. Obese children prefer indoor activities more than children who are not obese and are less likely to have had a meaningful experience in nature. 66% of children reported having a meaningful experience in nature. Children who have had a meaningful experience in nature are more likely to prefer spending time outdoors, express concern about environmental issues, consider themselves a strong environmentalist, and express an interest in studying the environment or pursuing an environmental career. Children most often experience nature with friends (79%), followed by parents (46%) and brothers and sisters (44%). Children reported that feelings of discomfort (bugs, heat, etc.), lack of transportation to natural areas, and lack of natural areas near home were the top 3 reasons why they did not spend more time in nature. Children living in the West are most likely to prefer spending time outdoors, while children living in the Northeast are most likely to prefer spending time indoors. 86% of children said that it is “cool” to do things that protect the environment. The Nature Conservancy. (2011). Connecting America's youth to nature. This report is available online at: http://www.nature.org/newsfeatures/kids-in-nature/kids-in-nature-poll.xml In another study done in the United States and Japan, researchers Oliver R.W. Pergams Patricia A. Zaradic found that there has been a downward trend in visits to National Parks in both countries since their peak between the years 1981 and 1991. Visits have been declining on average 1.3% per year. At the time the study was done, that amounted to a 18-25% total drop. This study shows a fundamental shift away from visits to natural areas, with potentially important implications for health, well-being, and conservation. Pergams, O. R. W., & Zaradic, P. A. (2008). Evidence for a fundamental and pervasive shift away from nature-based recreation.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 105(7), 2295-2300. This study is available online at: http://www.videophilia.org/uploads/PNAScomplete.pdf In a Kaiser Family Foundation study done in the United States, researchers focused on children’s consumption of media. Highlights from this study show: From 2004 to 2009, children’s media use increased substantially. In 2004, children spent an average of almost 6.21 hours with media daily, whereas children in 2009 spent an average of 7.38 hours daily with media. When multitasking is taken into account (time spent using more than one form of media at a time), children in 2009 packed nearly 11 hours of media exposure each day into 7.38 hours, an increase of almost 2.25 hours over 2004 levels. Children in 2009 spent more time with every type of media, except for reading, as compared to 2004. For example, children spent an average of 38 minutes more watching TV a day and 47 minutes more a day with music and other audio than they did in 2004. Mobile and online media has facilitated children’s increasing media use. For example, 66% of children in 2009 had their own cell phone, as compared to 39% in 2004, and 76% had an iPod or other MP3 player, as compared to 18% in 2004. How children use media has also changed. For example, cell phones are no longer used just for talking, they are used for listening to music, playing games, and watching TV. Children who spend more time with media report that they receive lower grades and are more likely to report that they are often sad or unhappy as compared to children who spend less time with media. Media use does not seem to impact children’s physical activity. Children who spend more time with media reported spending similar amounts of time being physically active as children who spend less time with media. Children who have parents that limit their media use (e.g., do not put a TV in their bedroom) spend less time with media.11-to 14-year-old children experience a huge increase in media use as compared to 8-to 10-year-olds. For example, 8-to 10-year-olds spend an average of 5 hours and 29 minutes with media, while 11-to 14-year-olds spend an average of 8 hours and 40 minutes with media. Hispanic and Black children spend more time than White children with media (about 13 hours a day as compared to 8.5 hours a day). Rideout, V. J., Foehr,U. G., & Roberts, D. F. (2010). Generation M2: Media in the lives of 8-to 18-year-olds. Kaiser Family Foundation. This report is available online at: http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia030905pkg.cfm How do they inform your study and methodology? Well, I'm much more convinced now on the importance of integrating tech with outdoor education. The health risks related to children not getting outdoors enough are very, very concerning. I'm increasingly aware that my role as an educator must include providing increasing opportunities for kids to get outdoors and play. While the articles I read this time were not focused on how to integrate tech into this solution, I am more convinced that it does have to be part of the solution. Kids are so familiar with and captivated by technology that we should use it to our advantage in getting kids more healthy. I'm also more willing to conduct surveys with my students and use that data in my research paper. Many of the results from these articles are based on surveys. How do they relate to your driving question? These articles relate to my driving question because they help to provide justification for the kind of study I am involved in. The first article is related to my study because it talks about the success that EIC, (Environment as an Integrated Context of Learning), schools are having success by focusing on the environment and increased outdoor learning. I hope my research bolsters this movement in a very humble, small way.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorJeremy Smith teaches third grade at Calistoga Elementary School. Archives
July 2020
Categories |