Good old-fashioned snow day may be healthy for kids, doctors say: ‘Permission to unplug’
“Children and teens are so highly programmed with extracurriculars — and even when they have free time, often seek relaxation and restoration online, whether in playing video games or engaging with the wide variety of social media apps at their disposal,” she told Fox News Digital.
“With so much external and internal pressure to grow up faster, we end up with kids who become adults who have forgotten how to play,” Jones went on. “There is such a kinesthetic pleasure in playing outside in the snow, to notice textures, temperatures, all senses activated and engaged.”
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Jones suggested the snow day doesn’t get the “respect and grace” it deserves.
“For the lessons learned about nature, the world around us and our own internal landscapes, the snow day is worthwhile.”
Virtual learning pros and cons
Alpert pointed out that Zoom-based learning was found to be ineffective during the COVID pandemic.
“We already ran the experiment of replacing real life with remote learning during the pandemic, and the results were clear,” Alpert said.
“Stay warm, wear hats, gloves and coats — and if you get wet, go inside for a warm shower and a cup of hot chocolate,” said one physician. (iStock)
“Zoom school doesn’t function as true learning or true rest. It keeps kids mentally ‘on’ without giving them structure or recovery, which is exactly where stress and burnout build.”
Jarrod M. Leffler, Ph.D., chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU in Richmond, Virginia, noted that virtual learning can have benefits if implemented well.
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“Pivoting to virtual learning during a snowstorm can provide consistency for the student and limit the potential of adding days onto the school year,” he told Fox News Digital. “For some youth, this may be a positive experience.”
However, if the learning is not well planned, supported and implemented, the switch to virtual could cause more stress for students and teachers, according to Leffler.
“For the lessons learned about nature, the world around us and our own internal landscapes, the snow day is worthwhile,” a doctor said. (iStock)
“Also, depending on the intensity of the inclement weather, teachers may be left to manage life stressors not normally requiring attention while teaching, resulting in stress for the teacher, which can impact the learning experience,” he said.
“It is important to not place a high level of learning burden on the student to limit increasing stress and potentially impact emotional and behavioral functioning.”
Tips for a safe, active snow day
For kids who do get the chance to enjoy an unplugged snow day, the doctors offered some simple tips to get the most out of it.
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“Stay warm, wear hats, gloves and coats — and if you get wet, go inside for a warm shower and a cup of hot chocolate,” Siegel suggested.
“These are some of my best memories from childhood, along with sledding down ‘Dead Man’s Hill.’”
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If being outdoors isn’t an option due to extreme weather, Leffler suggested that children can engage in indoor activities that are also rewarding, enjoyable and creative.
“It may be helpful for caregivers to help plan and/or offer some options for indoor activities to help reduce potential stress and irritability if the child is required to stay indoors,” he advised.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/good-old-fashioned-snow-day-may-healthy-kids-doctors-say-permission-unplug