Why Parents Should Let Their Children Get Dirty (NAPSA)—With high-tech gad- gets and video games monopolizing children’s days, it may be time to reintroduce your children to the world’s first toy: dirt. Today’s overprogrammedchildren need outlets for creative expression, physical activity and stress relief. Obesity has become the number one preventable cause of death and Americans spend more than 90 percent of their lives inside. Ninety-three percent of moms know their children’s motor skills improve whenthey play outdoors, yet 40 percent of school districts have eliminated recess. “At an early age I was encouraged to play outside, have fun and not be afraid to get dirty,” explained baseball great Cal Ripken, Jr., who supports the newly ag : Ps al ! | a pn r ~ | wall: " es -_ [a edd 2 rete ce = 7 7 Sang = = ai ra f To ean i ee Di ee eta | leo tee tar, = a ay | + ar : ental | UMA Be F rm A; ig Re Cal Ripken, Jr., embraces dirt and encourageschildren of all ages to do the same. Here are sometips from Ripken on how to help children develop active behaviors: Present choices. Let children choose or create their favorite outdoor activity. Not everyone is a star athlete, but they can all bene- launched America Needs Dirt initiative. “I believe that spirit of fit from a friendly gameof tag or setting up an obstacle course out- push myself to achieve more. I was not afraid to dive into home plate—literally and figuratively— in my adult life.” palatable. freedom and adventure helped me Encouraging even the youngest children to play, but more impor- tantly, giving them the freedom to get really dirty, serves as an extra challenge for them to fully embrace the experience—and they carry that gusto to other facets of their life such as work andrelationships. “A stain-free life is a life half- lived,” says Ripken. “Athletes come home from gamesdirty. It is the grass stains from going for a fly ball and the dirt from running side. Choices make playtime more Provide freedom. Allow “wild and free” activity in supervised places such as playgrounds and fields. Children can burn more calories and relieve more stress with this liberty. e Create family fun. Let your children help you in the garden or take the whole family to the park on a weekend afternoon. Children love to get messy and by showing them dirt is good, they are free to fully embrace life’s natural wonders and experiences, now and in the future. For more information on the around the bases that are proof— importance of playing hard and got out there, had fun and accom- tips from Cal Ripken, Jr.—visit www.AmericaNeedsDirt.com. like a badge of honor—that you plished something.” getting dirty—and for additional
