Children living in the countryside develop their motor skills better: what can you do if you live in the city

In Babies and more We have talked about the various benefits of spending time outdoors and surrounded by nature for children. From helping to improve their learning to helping prevent mental disorders in adulthood, growing in green and open spaces is all benefits.

But in addition to all this, it also helps in your physical development, because according to a new study, Children living in the countryside develop their motor skills better. We tell you why and we tell you what you can do if they live in the city.

Made in Finland and published in the magazine International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, the study analyzed the influence of the environment in which children live in the development of their motor skills.

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For research, conducted between 2015 and 2017, 945 children between 3 and 7 years old participated, of 37 nurseries or nursery schools: six in the metropolitan area, 17 in cities, seven in rural areas and seven in the countryside.

Indicators were used to measure children's motor skills, including locomotive and object control skills, and parents were asked to answer questionnaires about the time children spent outdoors, as well as their participation in organized sports.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Differences were found in the development of children's motor skills, as well as their participation in outdoor games and organized sports, according to the residential density of the place where they lived.

It was found that children who lived in the countryside, in addition to spending more time outdoors, they had better motor skills compared to children of their same age who lived in metropolitan areas. Although on the other hand, children who lived in metropolitan areas were the ones who participated most in organized sports.

In conclusion, the study suggests that outdoor time and participation in organized sports improves children's motor development. The researchers explain that this is because children find open spaces stimulating and motivating, such as an open field that allows them to play and run.

This kind of free game and the freedom and space to run, they are necessary to develop important locomotor skillssuch as walking, running, jogging, climbing, galloping and jumping.

What if we live in the city?

While the results of this study show that children living in the countryside develop their motor skills better, this It does not necessarily mean that living in the city or metropolitan areas affects children's abilities. Simply, those who have more spaces to run, jump and play have a better development.

However, we have previously talked about the benefits of free play and that children have greater opportunities and spaces to play and physically activate. If we live in the city and want our children to improve their motor skills, we must try to provide the spaces to do so.

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This can be achieved in various ways, either by planning one or more afternoons in the park per week (and take the opportunity to snack outdoors if the weather permits), organizing outdoor games and activities, or taking a weekend excursion. during the week, which in addition to benefit your motor skills by spending more time outdoors and surrounded by green spaces, helps strengthen the bond between parents and children.

Photos | iStock
Via | EurekAlert

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