More important to be outside or to be active?

[crunchy_mommy]

You would think the two would go together, but not with my DS.

He's a million times more active indoors than outdoors.

But he does like going outside for a 'bike ride' (in his push bike). Otherwise he no longer wants to play if he's outside -- he just stands there and/or asks to go in. I guess that's why I thought he was inactive a while back. I've realized it's more that he's inactive when outside. When we're inside, he'll jump on the couch, climb onto the table, run around in stores, etc. (though he has days where he'd really rather just sit & read or be carried all day). I don't know. He's a strange little kid.

Soooo I believe it's really important for kids to spend lots of time outside. I also feel it's critical that they are active. I just don't see how to balance these two. What's more important to you?

[tzs]

i think both are important...activity and fresh air. the toddlers in my preschool class sometimes seem much more active inside in the gym area than out on the playground and sometimes we'll even pop them in the buggy outside and go for a longer walk so they're really not getting "activity" per se. especially when it's cold out they don't always have a great time and maybe we'll only go out for 10 minutes. but the fresh air is so good for them and i personally think it makes naptime easier. plus they're getting a different type of stimulation.

[belltree]

That's strange. He is bored, or maybe it is too cold for him outside?

I believe outdoors are important - the fresh air, the sun light (Vitamin D ;-) ), and experiencing nature. But activity is important as well. I'd try to do both.

[crunchy_mommy]

I just don't know. I told him we were going to the playground & he nearly had a meltdown (aren't kids supposed to love the playground??? It used to be his favorite place!) Then he asked to go on a bike ride & I didn't feel like forcing him in the car to get to the playground just so he could be miserable so I pushed him on his bike for an hour. On the way home I stopped at the little playground (only has swings so we almost never go there even though it's the only one in walking distance) and he threw a fit & wanted to keep going on the bike ride. So we continued home. He does SOMETIMES enjoy the playground but only if there are lots of little kids there. All the playgrounds are always deserted around here even though it was a sunny 45F day today. We try playing in the yard but he looks at me like I'm nuts & asks to go inside. Or he gets fixated on something like the fact that I'm wearing a scarf  & cries hysterically until we go inside & I take the scarf off. I hate hate HATE the cold weather but I'm trying so hard to make an effort to get him outside every day & I even got a winter coat & snow pants so I can be warm enough. He's always warm and hates wearing his jacket (but is just as miserable whether I insist he wears it or let him go without). He loves going outside with DH but I try doing the exact same activities with him & he isn't interested. And lately even with DH on the weekends he doesn't want to stay out more than a few minutes. He's healthy, eating a little better & nursing tons & on the lower end but still ON the weight charts, he's super smart, ahead on most if not all milestones, & active in the house sometimes though not all day like I hear some kids are. I don't know, some days I feel like he's totally normal & fine and other days I'm convinced there's something wrong with him but he seems to fit in fine with other kids, although he prefers adult company and especially likes to cling to me.

[tzs]

you know....now that i think about my response....i was thinking more about the kids i teach and a daycare scenario and in that situation my motivations are a little different than when i'm at home with dd. so now thinking about it...although in theory i do still believe that fresh air is great, i really don't make that much of an effort to get dd outside on a daily or even regular basis. i mean, we run errands but especially now that it's cold, we haven;t been outside for outside's sake in a long time. maybe if we had a yard it would be different? maybe when it snows it will seem more fun to freeze my butt off?

i guess what i'm saying is that it seems to me like you're doing a pretty great job of getting outside.

i think also kids can be really resistant to the addition of all the winter clothes. we started bundling up at school a couple weeks ago and these kids who used to bolt outside were not so into it anymore. some hated the hats, some hated the gloves, some didn't want the bulky coats. could that be part of it?

[taramoon13]

my ds has never really been a playground lover in the usual sense. he always just likes to explore around it or to dig with his tools! he's not one of those kids that just runs to the equipment and goes down the slides 50 times or swings nonstop. if he's at the playground in front of our house where he's comfortable he's more apt to go on the slide or swing with the kids he knows. that said i do think that it's important to get some fresh air & sunshine just about every day. your lo sounds completely normal for a toddler. i used to be concerned when ds wasn't that into playing on the equipment, but i just got over it and let him lead the way when we're out. the important part is that they are having fun, not living up to some pre-conceived notion of what kids are "supposed" to do.

[rsummer]

It seems to me it could be that he feels more free, familiar, secure (and therefore active) inside.  The outside might just be a little unpredictable for wild and crazy play... just a thought.

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by taramoon13 

 the important part is that they are having fun, not living up to some pre-conceived notion of what kids are "supposed" to do.

That's the thing, he's not having fun. :( I wouldn't care if he wanted to just sit on the front step & listen to the birds, or wander around slowly & aimlessly, or whatever...

We have 2 slides in our yard & he hasn't touched them in months. He used to love his basketball hoop, now he'll throw the ball once & ask to go inside. I don't know.

Maybe it's that he doesn't like being bundled up. I hate it too. But he still has to be bundled up for me to push him on his bike & he doesn't mind that???

I hope you guys are right & this is just normal. Maybe I'm worrying myself for nothing.