To
mark the start of the school summer holidays, the National Trust has run
research revealing that it is in fact our grandparents generation that is the
most wild of all, with three quarters (76%) saying they were far more
adventurous and daring in their youth compared to both their children and
grandchildren – with half (51%) confessing to have never even seen their
grandchildren climb a tree!
The
research also found that:
•
Children
today spend 57% less time exploring outdoors than their parents and
grandparents did – on average just 1 hour 20 mins a day, vs. 2 hours 40 mins
(parents) and 3 and a half hours a day (grandparents)
•
87% of
parents and grandparents said they enjoy seeing the little ones running wild
and carefree, with 80% enjoying seeing them playing outdoors away from
technology devices
•
Nearly
half (49%) of grandparents take on the role of childminding more than twice a
week to support parents, with this increasing during the school holidays by
almost two-thirds of grandparents (61%)
The
study signals the start of the National Trust’s ‘50 Things To Do Before You’re
11 ¾’ initiative – which aims to encourage families to get outdoors and
enjoy spending time together.
With 61% of grandparents helping with childcare during school holidays they are the perfect motivators for getting kids to spend more time enjoying nature.
Parents
looking for ways to get their kids to spend more time in the great outdoors
during the summer holidays need look no further than willing grandparents, keen
to spend quality time outside in nature with their grandchildren
Research
by leading conservation charity, the National Trust, reveals grandparents are
the key ingredient to helping today’s generation
develop a connection with nature. Over three quarters (76%) claim they
were far more explorative and daring in their youth compared to both their own
children and grandchildren, with a huge majority (92%) saying that they take
great enjoyment from teaching their grandchildren about these adventurous
activities, such as building a den or flying a kite.
The
research also reveals that 4 in 5 (79%) adults believe children today have less
freedom to explore and play outdoors, compared to their own childhood. While
75% of grandparents said climbing trees was one of their favourite childhood
memories, half (51%) said their grandchildren had not experienced this
activity.
Nearly
half (49%) of grandparents take on the role of childminding more than twice a
week to support parents with this increasing during the school holidays by
almost two-thirds of grandparents (61%). A whopping 9 in 10 (92%) said that
when they do spend time with their grandchildren, they are keen to actively
encourage them to take part in explorative outdoor play rather coop up
indoors.
The
research polled 1,000 grandparents and parents for the charity as part of its ‘50
Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾’ initiative – which aims to
encourage families to get outdoors and enjoy spending time together – looks at
the importance of outdoor family play and how this builds a stronger
appreciation and connection to nature.
National
Trust research also found:
·
Children
today spend 57% less time exploring outdoors than their parents and
grandparents did – on average just 1 hour 20 mins a day, vs. 2 hours 40 mins
(parents) and 3 and a half hours a day (grandparents)
·
87%
of parents and grandparents said they enjoy seeing their offspring running wild
and carefree, with 80% taking pleasure from seeing them playing outdoors away
from technology devices
·
In
addition, 95% of parents and grandparents agree that it is important for
children to connect with nature so that they can build a relationship with the
great outdoors and help future generations care for and protect it
“Grandparents
today are spending more and more time with their grandchildren in the roles of
childminder and carer, and consequently getting to share real ‘quality time’
with them. And the research shows that one of the things they are sharing is a
love of nature and the great outdoors, something that harks back to their own
happy childhood memories. Learning to appreciate Nature at a young,
impressionable age makes it much more likely that children will grow up to pass
on their love of outdoor experiences to future generations. As a grandmother of
seven, I have seen the effects on my grandchildren myself: they are never
happier then when running free in the fresh air and sunshine, exploring and
asking questions about the natural world around them.”
The
National Trust, which is funded entirely through the support of the public who
visit, join and volunteer, is looking to inspire the next generation of
children to plant their roots and kick-start a lifelong love affair with nature
through its ‘50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾’ initiative.
National
Trust Ranger Kate Jones, adds:
“This
summer, we want to inspire children, parents and grandparents to get outdoors
and develop their relationship with nature together as a family. With so many
fantastic ‘50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾’ events taking place at Trust
locations across the country there’s no better time to go wild and explore the
great outdoors taking inspiration from our challenges. We know that sharing
these outdoor experiences with family and friends from a young age, helps to
foster a stronger and more ingrained connection to nature, which we hope will
be passed on for generations to come.”
For more information on the National Trust’s ’50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 ¾’ campaign, head to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/50things or search #50things.
Images courtesy of the National Trust.
Disclosure: The National Trust are kindly sending us a visitor pass in return for sharing this information.
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