A small study of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder last year found that walks outdoors appeared to improve scores on tests of attention and concentration. Notably, children who took walks in natural settings did better than those who walked in urban areas, according to the report, published online in August in The Journal of Attention Disorders. The researchers found that a dose of nature worked as well as a dose of medication to improve concentration, or even better.
via Well – The 3 R’s? A Fourth Is Crucial, Too – Recess – NYTimes.com.
Interesting article. Worth reading.
My son, who had been HSed since 2nd grade, wanted to try 5th grade at our local public school. The teacher highly recommended we meet with a neurologist to consider ADHD meds. Instead, we went back to HSing. EVERY morning – we swim at the beach for about 1/4 mile – we live in Hawaii, so this is easy to do. Pre-5th grade/public school, we went on an hour bike ride 1st thing each am ….
There is HUGE difference in his ability to focus & learn on days we swim/bike/hike vs. days we don’t. It is like working with a different kid.
I was so happy to read your post! Nice to get scientific confirmation of our strategies at home.
V.
@Vanessa
I am glad to here this. The saddest part is there are so many other perfectly normal kids on needless but potentially harmful medications.