By Maxine Roeper Cohen, M.S.
It’s freezing outside. Aren’t children better off being kept indoors? To the contrary, it’s important for children to play and exercise outdoors in the winter. Studies show that colds and viruses are not caused by exposure to cold weather. In fact, being cooped up in heated rooms without ventilation of fresh air increases the likelihood of children “catching” whatever germ is going around. Germs and bacteria flourish indoors during the cold winter months and children can’t escape if they don’t play outdoors in the fresh air. Give your child’s immune system a boost by spending some time outdoors each day.
Playing outdoors in winter helps children to burn up energy by playing tag, riding a tricycle or bicycle, making snowmen, or taking a walk and observing how nature changes during the cold months. In this way, the change from an indoor to an outdoor environment stimulates a child’s imagination. Large muscle development is fostered by climbing and pulling a sled up a hill and guiding that sled downhill. It’s always important to dress appropriately with layers of clothing that can be added to or taken off depending on weather conditions. Remember to keep head and hands covered. Keep moving and wear durable shoes or waterproof boots depending on surface conditions.
Be a good role model for your child. Go out and play together, discover the beauty of every season, and have fun!
Maxine Roeper Cohen is a Parent Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Family Health and Wellness Program. She can be reached at mc333@cornell.edu.