The Dallas Morning News – Angela Hanscom
“As we continue to decrease children’s time and space to move and play outdoors, we are seeing a simultaneous rise in the number of children presenting with sensory deficits…Further, more children are walking around with underdeveloped vestibular (balance) systems. They have decreased body awareness and sense of space. Teachers are reporting that children are falling out of their seats in school, running into one another, pushing with more force during games of tag, and are generally clumsier than in years past. In fact, the more we restrict and coddle our children, the more unsafe they become. A child’s neurological system is naturally designed to seek out the sensory input it needs to develop…Weekly outdoor excursions are not enough to develop a healthy sensory system. Just like exercising on occasion doesn’t gain lasting benefits, children need to move and play regularly. They also need to be surrounded by adults who encourage healthy risk-taking. Their sensory system depends on it. Two ways for children to play outdoors and develop their bodies:”(more)