FIRST 5 LA URGES PARENTS TO GET KIDS TO PLAY OUTSIDE

Across Los Angeles County, concerned parents tell stories of neighborhoods where children are neither seen nor heard. "There is a growing movement of families and caregivers who are concerned and are trying to figure out how to get their kids outside, '' said Evelyn V. Martinez, executive director of First 5 LA. "Now that it's summer, we need parents to encourage regular outdoor exercise and playtime for their children."

Research has found that children who play outside for an average of 90 minutes per day in good weather have less risk of heart trouble later in life. Regular, unstructured playtime in nature also makes kids smarter, calmer, more self-disciplined, more cooperative and happier, according to several studies.

Through physical play, young children discover the things their bodies can do. And as they increase their skills of running, climbing and throwing, "children gain confidence in themselves and become more motivated to try new things," Martinez said. "Playing outside is one of the best ways to boost self-esteem in young children."

Finding safe places for children to play in neighborhoods with high crime can be difficult. But young children do not need large, exposed open spaces to get exercise. They can get the daily activity they need in smaller, sheltered areas that may provide the additional safety needed to ease parents' minds.

"Although we need to be aware of the potential hazards of letting kids play outside, we also need to pay attention to the risks that come with lack of outdoor exercise," Martinez explained. "About one in three American children are now overweight or at risk for becoming obese, which increases their chances of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Playing outside can be risky, but keeping kids under house arrest has great risks as well."

First 5 LA provides the following outdoor play tips for parents:

• Parents possess a powerful ability to model healthy outdoor behaviors. Skip the gym in favor of an hour-long walk with your kids. Share outdoor play supervision duty with other parents in the neighborhood. Choose day care that makes outdoor time a priority.

• Sandboxes offer a favorite outdoor activity for children. Young children enjoy exploring how the sand feels and how it moves. Older children learn to use their fine motor skills to dig, to bury, and to build. A variety of buckets and pails and several shovels and rakes should be included with your sand toys.

• Even preschoolers now spend many waking hours indoors using electronic toys. Reverse the trend in your home with a rule that every hour of screen time be balanced by at least one hour outdoors-and stick to it.

• Some kids who aren't very familiar with unscripted play are more likely to think the natural world is boring compared to the digital one. Take a walk after the rain and point out how precipitation changes the environment. Teach them how things grow (preschoolers may not realize plants and trees are alive) and offer tools such as a ball or a magnifying glass to encourage creative outdoor play.

• For additional ideas and support, visit First 5 LA's website for parents with young children, www.ReadySetGrowLA.org. The site provides advice and resources for parents, discount coupons for kid friendly outings, and a calendar of fun family events and outdoor activities throughout L.A. County. The First 5 LA Ready. Set. Grow! Family Guide is available at libraries and many parks and recreation centers.