The matter in summary: Children play outside less than before, according to a study carried out by the Norwegian Institute for Natural Research (NINA). Owner of Livensveen farm nursery, Ane Cecilie Myklevik, believes that the nursery is an important counterweight to this trend, as the children spend most of the day outside. Senior researcher at NINA, Vegard Gundersen, sees the decline in outdoor play as alarming. He points to increased screen use as a reason why children play outside less. Five-year-olds Eirik and Ottar, who attend Livensveen farm kindergarten, like being outside the most. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – In! That’s how five-year-olds Ottar Os Markeng and Eirik Stuan answer questions about whether they like to be outside or inside. The pair of friends go to Livensveen farm kindergarten, and spend most of their day outside. And when they are outside, there is one thing that is important. – Eirik likes to go skiing, says Ottar. – And jump very high, replies Eirik. Eirik (5) jumps high on skis. When he first has to bet, he picks up speed from the furthest up the hill. Photo: Viktoria Hellem-Hansen / news But this is not the case for all children. For some, outdoor life and skiing become the least important in everyday life. New research carried out by the Norwegian Institute for Natural Research (NINA) shows that children are playing outside less than before. Stands out The protractor shows 12 blue this day. In this temperature, most children had stayed indoors, but the cold does not stop the children in Livensveen. Gårdsbarnehagen is located in nature a few minutes from the center of Løten. Photo: Viktoria Hellem-Hansen / news They sled, ski, light fires and pet chickens, dogs and cats. Do you feel better inside or outside in winter? ❄️ Inside! You will find me in the heat while I long to return to summer and sun. 🌞🏖️ Outside! A little cold and snow doesn’t stop me from having fun. ☃️⛸️ Show result Owner of the kindergarten, Ane Cecilie Myklevik, is very pleased with the sight. – We are an important counterweight to social development where children are involved a lot. Responding to the decline Myklevik thinks it is sad that children spend less time outside. She believes that it is out in nature that the children get to know themselves better and their own limits. Ane Cecilie helped start the nursery in 2005. Since then, she has learned that free play outside brings the children the most joy. Photo: Viktoria Hellem-Hansen / news The owner has also experienced that the encounter with nature at a young age has ensured a structured life going forward. – We have heard from teachers that children who have attended nature and farm kindergartens are more independent. She also points to some examples: – They have better order to their own clothes and equipment. They are also more robust outside. In Livensveen farm nursery they have many animals. Here, the employees and children have fun with a rooster and a cat. Photo: Viktoria Hellem-Hansen / news – Scary Vegard Gundersen is a senior researcher at NINA, and among those behind the investigation. He himself sees it as alarming that children have less motivation to play outside. – It’s scary, since we don’t know the consequences of that. He believes the key to stopping the decline is to let the children play freely when they are outside. – In a way let the hops whizz. If the children are given some time, they have a wonderful time just playing together, without adults directing. It is often the case that parents feel they have to offer their children a plan when they go out, says Gundersen. Vegard Gundersen sees a clear change in outdoor play among children. Photo: NINA – It will therefore be very adult-led. The screen takes over the play The researcher points to other reasons why children play outside less than before. – Screen use has increased sharply in recent years. We saw it especially during the pandemic, concludes Gundersen. Five-year-olds Eirik and Ottar have also noticed that the screen is on. Ottar pulls his hat well over his face when he is asked about the screen. Photo: Viktoria Hellem-Hansen / news However, they do not think that it prevents them from being outside. – The adults use the iPad, says Eirik. – My brother and I too, a bit to play and watch it. But outside is best.
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New survey shows that children play less in nature – this does not apply to these five-year-olds – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
