According to a recent study reported by Sanford Health News, the average American child spends less than 10 minutes per day engaged in unstructured outdoor play, while devoting seven hours to screen time. This is stunning information and quite heartbreaking. In this article, you’ll learn how the 1000 Hours Outdoors movement is working to restore a love for nature and how you can get started today.
Why Nature Matters
You probably don’t need a bunch of studies to tell you that children are spending way less time outdoors and far more time in front of screens.
But if you do want some research backed info, let’s revisit the study mentioned in the opening paragraph. The Sanford Health News study showed that American children spend less than 10 minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play compared to seven hours in front of a screen.
So what’s the big deal? Is tv really that bad? Or is nature really that necessary for healthy children?
Well, let’s find out.
Nature Deficit Disorder
Nature deficit disorder is a term coined by author Richard Louv in his book “Last Child in the Woods”. The term is used to describe the observed trend of children spending less time outdoors and in nature. The lack of outdoor time results in a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional health issues.
Symptoms of nature deficit disorder may include obesity, attention difficulties, anxiety, depression, diminished creativity, and a lack of empathy and connection to the natural world. In short, kids don’t have any interest in going outside. The term exposes the importance of regular exposure to nature for children’s development. It emphasizes the need to prioritize outdoor play and nature-based activities.
So to answer the question above, yes, nature really is that necessary for the health and well being of our children. When children don’t get a sufficient amount of time outdoors, playing freely in nature, the consequences can be quite serious.
Who Is Ginny Yurich?
Now we know nature is extremely important for the development of our children. We also know that most children today play outdoors far less than what is necessary for their little bodies and minds to thrive.
Enter Ginny Yurich.
Ginny Yurich is the founder of the 1000 Hours Outside initiative, a movement that encourages families to spend more time outdoors and aims to reconnect children with nature. The initiative was inspired by Yurich’s own experiences as a mother and her desire to provide her children with ample opportunities for outdoor play and exploration.
1000 Hours Outside Initiative
The premise of the 1000 Hours Outside initiative is simple: families strive to spend 1000 hours outdoors over the course of a year, averaging about 2.7 hours per day.
Yurich emphasizes the importance of unstructured, child-led outdoor play. Children should have the freedom to explore, discover, and connect with the natural world at their own pace. She believes that spending time outdoors helps children develop important skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and resilience, while also fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation for the environment.
Why 1000 Hours?
Ginny Yurich chose 1000 hours of outdoor time as the goal for her initiative because it represents a significant amount of time spent in nature over the course of a year. The goal is ambitious enough to encourage families to prioritize outdoor activities and make nature a regular part of their daily lives, while also being achievable with consistent effort and dedication.
Additionally, the number 1000 has symbolic significance, representing a milestone or benchmark that families can strive towards together. It’s a tangible goal that provides a sense of accomplishment when achieved, serving as a reminder of the value and impact of spending time outdoors.
By setting the goal at 1000 hours, Yurich hopes to inspire families to make outdoor play and nature exploration a priority, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world and reaping the numerous benefits it offers for children’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Over the course of one year, 1000 hours outdoors works out to be 2.7 hours per day. When you look at it that way, it’s a much more manageable goal.
How To Get Started
Getting started on the 1000 Hours Outdoor challenge doesn’t have to feel overwhelming! Here are some steps to help you begin:
- Set Your Intentions: Decide why you want to participate in the 1000 Hours Outdoors challenge.
- Create a Plan: Make a plan for how you’ll incorporate outdoor time into your daily routine. Schedule regular outings to parks, nature reserves, or nearby trails. Set aside time for outdoor play in your backyard or neighborhood.
- Start Small: Don’t feel overwhelmed by the goal of 1000 hours outdoors. Begin by gradually increasing your outdoor time each week. Aim for at least 30 minutes to an hour of outdoor play or exploration each day, and build from there.
- Get the Whole Family Involved: Encourage your family members to participate in the challenge with you. Make outdoor time a family priority and involve everyone in planning and choosing outdoor activities.
- Be Prepared: Make sure you have the right gear and clothing for outdoor adventures. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and pack essentials like sunscreen, water, snacks, and insect repellent. Bring along toys, games, or equipment to make outdoor play more enjoyable for children.
- Stay Consistent: Stay committed to your outdoor goals and make outdoor time a regular part of your family’s routine. Even on busy days, try to find opportunities for quick outdoor breaks or activities.
- Celebrate Milestones: Celebrate your progress along the way! Acknowledge and celebrate reaching milestones, such as 100 hours or 500 hours of outdoor time.
You Can Do It!
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
While it might feel like 1000 hours outdoors is a big task to accomplish, take a breathe. You can do this. Start with one hour. Then do another one. And another. Before you know it, you won’t even be counting the hours.
You can do it. Both you and your children will be better because of it! Now go play outside.
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