Happiness and smartness increases in children who play outdoors rather than watching television or sticking to video games, a latest study shows.
Researchers at the Michigan State University found in a micro-study that children who spent 5 to 10 hours outdoors knew better about self-fulfilment.
According to the study, playing outside improves children's appreciation of beauty and improves their range of creativity and imagination. Furthermore, those spending maximum time outdoors were more curious about the world around them.
For instance, the researchers found that the children appreciated lush green bushes, pattern-like blue spots in water and bees' nests.
For the study, the researchers combined research methods, including in-depth interviews, drawings, diaries and observation, as well as conversations with parents. Seven of the 10 children in the study were 7 to 8 years old.
The findings also revealed that playing outside makes children more spiritual and they expressed the highest appreciation toward nature. Researchers explain that playing outside offers a varied display of colors, sights and sounds; uncertainty; multisensory qualities; and aliveness.
"This is the first generation that's significantly plugged in to a different extent and so what does this mean?" lead researcher Gretel Van Wieren said in a press release.
"Modern life has created a distance between humans and nature that now we're realizing isn't good in a whole host of ways," she explained. "So it's a scary question: How will this affect our children and how are we going to respond?"
The study was published recently in the 'Journal of the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture.'
