Outdoor play could help children’s mental health, teacher says
Posted April 14, 2023 7:50 pm.
Last Updated April 14, 2023 8:10 pm.
Kids have faced mental health and brain development challenges coming out of the pandemic. But Vancouver experts say there are some things you can do to help your kids have fun and improve their mental well-being.
Taylor Pugh, an outdoor preschool teacher with Woods and Waves, says she’s seen the kids she leads in outdoor activities at Jericho Beach struggle with leaving their parents at dropoff and with socializing — something she attributes to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Some kids are very scared to play outside still because they’re not necessarily as used to it. Like playing in imagination, I find, is harder to come by than it used to be,” she explained.
According to data from Vancouver Coastal Health (VHC), 60 per cent of parents reported that their children’s well-being has become worse in the last few years.
Taylor Pugh, an outdoor preschool teacher with Woods and Waves. (Sarah Chew, CityNews Image)
But one doctor says parents shouldn’t jump to medication or hospitalization at the first sign of trouble.
Dr. Alex Choi, a medical health officer with VHC, explains that there are steps that can be taken to help kids.
“Things like poor social connection or sleep or physical activity, not eating well – those are the things that we also need to address alongside the kids who already have a diagnosed mental health condition,” Choi explained.
Vancouver experts say there are some things you can do to help your kids have fun and improve their mental well-being. (Sarah Chew, CityNews Image)
Choi adds that VCH is working with schools to improve child and youth mental health, and says parents should go to their family doctors for advice on what their kids need to thrive.
Pugh adds that she’s seen outdoor play help kids manage their emotions.
Vancouver experts say there are some things you can do to help your kids have fun and improve their mental well-being. (Sarah Chew, CityNews Image)
“There’s definitely so many moments with stillness, like where kids just want to watch the ocean or watch the birds. And I find just even if it’s not directly involved with, you know, regulating their emotions in that specific moment, it’s still teaching them the practice of stillness and how to be present,” she said.
Choi adds that those same elements of sleep, nutrition, connection, and activity are important for adults’ mental health too.
