Dirt is good, especially for children. A new National Wildlife Federation report makes that case by highlighting the benefits of letting kids get messy outside – and its release coincides with Earth Day activities in Wyoming this weekend. Meri Margaret Deoudes oversees the ‘Be Out There’ initiative for the N-W-F and says most kids naturally want to be messy, and there are good reasons to let them dig around.
Deoudes says getting grubby equals happiness for many kids, and scientists have found some clues as to why.
Recognizing that mucking around in the mud is a good thing may be toughest for parents, with Deoudes pointing out that our societal slant is towards over-sanitization. She wants families to keep in mind all the benefits of dirt and outdoor time to try to balance the thoughts of extra laundry.
She says for young children, there are tactile benefits to playing in the dirt. Encouraging kids to make mud pies and create forts also counts as exercise. The E-P-A website has a list of events in Wyoming this weekend, with several hands-on opportunities in the dirt.
Deoudes says getting grubby equals happiness for many kids, and scientists have found some clues as to why.
Recognizing that mucking around in the mud is a good thing may be toughest for parents, with Deoudes pointing out that our societal slant is towards over-sanitization. She wants families to keep in mind all the benefits of dirt and outdoor time to try to balance the thoughts of extra laundry.
She says for young children, there are tactile benefits to playing in the dirt. Encouraging kids to make mud pies and create forts also counts as exercise. The E-P-A website has a list of events in Wyoming this weekend, with several hands-on opportunities in the dirt.
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