Advertisement
There’s an undeniable wisdom to Honnold’s statement. Unlike Honnold, however, Baynham is a parent, with the natural concerns that come with the job. Still, Baynham acknowledged the importance of parenting “outside of my comfort zone, choosing the memorable over the predictable, for my kids’ benefit and my own.”
My mom understood that concept intrinsically, and my wife and I have tried to follow the same mantra. Fortunately, in eastern Massachusetts, we have plenty of opportunities to help our children learn to enjoy winter, instead of simply tolerating it.
“There’s a million reasons to get kids out in cold weather,” said Joseph Ryan, a leader with Boy Scout Troop No. 35 in Hamilton. “There are physical challenges on ice and in snow — balance, keeping warm — that are very different from summer play. It’s even more important in this day and age of screen time.
“For Boy Scouts, especially the younger ones, winter hiking is a great way to let them understand that they can do something that seems a little crazy,” said Ryan. “If you’re prepared for winter hiking – ‘prepared’ being our operating principal – it’s super fun. It gives them the confidence to do other things they think might be ‘too challenging,’ and they branch out to mountain climbing and sea kayaking and other challenges.”
Advertisement
Likewise, Kristen Swanberg, director of education and public programming for the Trustees of Reservations, said “giving children free time outdoors in the winter builds a sense of adventure, helps to establish independence, involves problem solving, and supports imaginative play.
“Winter is a part of living in New England, so embracing all the season has to offer makes the time more enjoyable,” said Swanberg. “Plus, it can be so much fun.”
The Trustees offer a variety of programs and activities to get families of all ages outdoors to seize winter’s opportunities, including full-moon hikes and owl prowls, beach safari tours and sledding parties, Nordic ski lessons, snowshoe tours, and even winter fun days. But parents may still play a critical role.
“Excitement and enthusiasm is contagious, so when parents show excitement about heading outdoors for winter adventures, kids will easily follow their lead,” said Swanberg. “It’s as simple as incorporating some outdoor activity on a daily or weekly basis. For those parents who are hesitant, it only takes a short 15-minute walk around the neighborhood or nearby park to get started.”
Still, the cold weather requires certain precautions, especially when youngsters are involved.
“There are definitely hurdles to getting kids outside but a little fun and creativity can go a long way in enticing them to head outdoors,” said Swanberg. “Start small with those who are reluctant to embrace the cold, and build up to bigger adventures as they get more comfortable spending time outdoors.”
Advertisement
Ryan and Swanberg are both proponents of the old adage, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” They recommend dressing in breathable layers. Winter can bring a mix of snow and rain, so a waterproof outer layer will prevent that moisture from seeping in. Hats, mittens, and scarves (or balaclavas) are a must, and can be removed when kids start to heat up from their activity.
“You don’t need to spend a lot of money on gear, since kids will grow out of it quickly,” said Swanberg. “Secondhand shops are a great place to pick up winter clothing, or get hand-me-downs from older siblings, cousins, or neighbors.”
Then tell them to get outside, and “Go play.”
For information on local Trustees of Reservations programs for children, visit thetrustees.org/thingstodo .
Globe correspondent Brion O’Connor can be reached at brionoc@verizon.net.
"Key" - Google News
December 20, 2019 at 05:51AM
https://ift.tt/34D7wWT
The key to getting kids outside in the winter - The Boston Globe
"Key" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YqNJZt
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
No comments:
Post a Comment