Getting down and dirty

Active children, are more likely to grow into active teenagers, according to the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (Otago University), which has been following 1000 Dunedin-born people since their birth in 1972 and 1973. Keeping children and teenagers physically active is important for their overall health and development. Children who climb trees and fences, play on swings and in paddling pools, ride bikes and play ball games stay more physical active during their teenage years, the Otago University study suggests.

We already know that children and young people are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature, with opportunities for children to play free range diminishing. There is a growing body of evidence that nature is important for children's health. Spending unstructured time playing in natural places, the neighbourhood or the backyard positively develops children's bodies and minds. Scientists are also finding that playing in the dirt, with its friendly bacteria, can boost the immune system as well as help to increase the brain’s “happiness” chemical, serotonin.

Unfortunately, children don't just go out into nature or the neighbourhood the way they used to, and just digging in the dirt is foreign for many children.

In her book "I love dirt!", Jennifer Ward presents 52 activities for parents and teachers to help to engage their child in the natural outdoor world of their own neighbourhood or backyard.

Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods" (see post here) writes the foreword in "I love dirt", in which he refers to his great-grandparents' days when most people spent the better part of their lives outdoors, ".. when it came to fun, that was outside". Louv writes about his own childhood family outings and the stories he passed along to his own two boys when they were small, stories he called "turtle tales". Children today are becoming increasingly removed from nature, and "turtle tales" are less and less passed down, as are the opportunities to gather "turtle tales".

"I love dirt!" gives a collection of outdoor activities for adults to do with young children. Included are simple outings, games and activities, involving bugs, leaves, trees,even snowmen and many more wonderful items of nature. "I love dirt" is divided up into the seasons that children and adults can observe and admire, as each season has something beautiful and different about them. It is a simple book, that will appeal to parents and teachers who find it a challenge to step outside and share in with their child's natural curiosity of the beautiful world in their own backyard or neighbourhood.

At our preschool, we don't talk about dirt, but about soil. Our soil is beautiful, not "dirty". "Dirt is our earth. It helps us to live", says Esmee (read here).

Family picnics, fishing trips, cloud watching, stargazing, mud pie baking, these are must do activities for every young child. "I love dirt" describes many opportunities to get down and dirty. Keeping children active and involved in the natural world may, according to the above Otago University Study, give them a headstart for staying active when older, growing healthier minds and bodies.