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Let children play in the snow, says GP
Date published: 08 January 2010
PARENTS should encourage their children to play out in the snow and enjoy fresh air and exercise but take sensible precautions to avoid injury, a leading GP has said.
Countrywide school closures mean thousands of children are missing out on PE lessons which, in some cases, can be their only source of exercise.
But rather than leaving their children sitting in front of a computer console, parents should use the appeal of sledging, snowman building and snowball fights to give their children a taste for the open air, said Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners.
He said: “For some children, the snow will give them their only exercise outside of PE and it might just give them the taste for playing out in the open air more often.
“As with any exercise, there is a risk of minor injury, usually broken bones from a fall on the ice or even a head injury while sledging.
“But generally this is a wonderful opportunity for children to get out and enjoy some exercise outdoors without any real danger.”
Comments
It would help if the schools weren't so paranoid and let the children play out there too instead of keeping them cooped up inside.
I can't believe how health and safety obsessed we have become. Our children are so wrapped in cotton wool they will never be prepared for the outside world.
I would gladly sign a form to say I would not hold the school liable if they fell over or injuered themselves in the snow if it mean't they could play out and have some FUN!
On TV news we saw a school, where, in spite of the snow and ice, staff and children had arrived safely. Once there, however, the children were not allowed to play in the snow in the playground because of 'health and safety' regulations. The next news item showed children from a school which was closed, having a rare old time, snowballing, sledging and playing in the snow. Is it just me???
Have Your Say
Just watch out for the yellow and brown patches kids,the brown patches are`nt grit by the way........
By Alex de large @ 09/01/2010 09:49:12