With so many articles spinning around lately, about lost outdoor Play and Nature Deficit Disorder, I thought it might be fun to create a poem about outdoor PLAY. As wonderful as technology can be, nothing can replace outdoor fun, healthy exercise, fresh air and the guaranteed addition of new brain cells.

More and more research is being done now, pointing to the value of Play and to the detrimental health risks facing today's children (thanks to unhealthy lifestyles, poor eating habits and lack of outdoor time). When once we'd look outdoors to find children playing galore, we now see closed doors, closed curtains and the dim lights of hand-helds, TV sets and screens.

Playing is not a suggested activity for a healthy life and productive citizens. It's a must.

Here's what I came up with for my poem!

P = Pleasure in playing outdoors. So many treasures are there to explore. Sticks and rocks, feathers and grass. When playing outside, the time it does pass. Skipping stones or watching the birds; can leaves be sorted and counted in thirds? What's that I hear? A plane overhead? Look at the clouds. Now I'm ready for bed!

L = Laughter, lolly and lounge. This grass is the softest that I have found. Between my toes, a sensory dream. The blades are tall and blow in the breeze. Down we tumble and roll around. BAM! We land upon the ground. Laughing, laughing, oh what fun. I love my face in the warmth of the sun.

A = Active and always alert. Sometimes I sift and sort the dirt. I'm looking for treasure and hope I find - something unique; one of a kind. A coin perhaps or a jewel so old. Some are worth money, so I've been told. A metal detector is what I need. That would help me pick up speed. Searching and looking is such a blast. Gosh this day has flown by fast!

Y = Yabber, yoyo and yacht. Time in the water today we sought. We splished and splashed all the day through. I even got water inside my shoe. The ground turned to mud and when I fell down, I felt like Jack, upon my crown. Tumble, tumble all around. Oh, the joys that I have found. Playing outside is great, all around. Nothing compares to giggles and skips. A childhood outside should not be missed.

Yay for outdoor PLAY!

More reading

Does early childhood play affect future college success?

Go for a Shapes Walk!

20 summer fun ideas

Time spent in nature is a blessing

Another reason to spend time outdoors!

50 activity ideas for the family

ABOUT the Author:

Shara Lawrence-Weiss is the owner of Mommy Perks, Personal Child Stories, Early Childhood News and Resources and Kids Perks. She and her husband co-own Pine Media. Shara has a background in education, early childhood, nanny work, published freelance, marketing and special needs.