Photo adapted from youth-570881_1920 Jill111 @ pixabay.com
Okay, pop quiz time! What do all of the children in the photos below have in common?
Photos from pixabay.com
I suppose you could come up with any number of commonalities, but there are really just two I’m thinking about today:
- Outside
- Joy
I’ve spent the past two weeks writing about reasons for people to get outside, but it’s the joy on these kids’ faces that says much more than any of my words ever could. Being outdoors is natural for kids; they thrive there. I’ve seen it in my own family; when my kids are stuck inside during bad weather, they’re irritable and aimless. One afternoon outside, and that all changes.
I know there are always exceptions–kids who hate being outside and families who aren’t able to get outside due to geography, weather, violence, or illness. However, I can’t help but think about this quote from Stacey Loscalzos in the article “Why Playing Outdoors Makes Children Smarter“:
Outdoor play is fun. Children who are happy are successful learners. Children are naturally happy when they are moving, playing and creating outside. This joy opens them up for experimenting, learning and growing.
What brings you joy? What brings your family joy?
Amy Morris-Jones 