Children Who Play With Sand Grow Up Stronger & Healthier

Many of us can recall fond memories of our childhood when we’d find creative ways to play with mud. These same people may also have unpleasant memories of their parents reproaching them for being covered in dirt. But to be honest, those parents already knew that their kids were bound to get dirty. Let’s say it: getting dirty is fun!

Let’s say it: getting dirty is fun!

Here at WINAM, we’ll explain the scientific reasons why children who play in the sand and mud grow up to be healthier.

Many children are disconnected from nature today

It’s normal for parents to be concerned about their kids’ hygiene and safety. Some may prefer that they play at home rather than in open spaces. Based on this, the expert interviewed around 3,000 families, and after several conversations with children, he concluded that many don’t want to play in open spaces these days. They prefer to be at home, entertained by technology. “Our children and the children of our children are the generations that are more disconnected from nature in history,” he states with concern.

A little bit of dirt never hurt anyone

Experts insist that children need to be in touch with microorganisms found in the soil and grass to help develop their immune systems properly. Maybe cleaning up after a muddy mess is a pain, but finding the middle ground between fun and excess is something parents need to start thinking about it. These kinds of unhygienic games are necessary.

He says that coming into contact with this type of bacteria supports the correct development of the immune system in children. This way, in the future, they’ll be able to better protect and defend themselves against disease and allergies. He added that outdoor activities encourage creativity, minimize stress and depression, and enable broader cognitive development.

It’s the same with pets

It’s the same with pets

According to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, children who live and grow up with pets like dogs and cats from an early age are less inclined to develop allergies. These children live among constant levels of endotoxins, a type of bacteria present in dust and the environment, strengthening their immune system.

It is how our immune system works

According to the definition provided by the health system for children known as Kids Health, the immune system ultimately protects people from external invaders such as germs and bacteria that could threaten their health. It accomplishes this by detecting substances that can generate disease and infection and then fights against them.

As children grow, they start becoming more resistant to certain germs

But for this attack to be successful, the system needs to adapt to microorganisms from the outside. As children grow, they start becoming more resistant to certain germs. It happens that they have already been exposed to them, and immune systems already know the invaders and how to attack them.

The consequences of keeping kids away from open spaces

Without contact with microorganisms, the immune system becomes more vulnerable to substances that shouldn’t be pathological, like pollen or animal hair which cause kids to develop allergies. He says that depriving children of interaction with nature limits the development of their creativity. Kids who aren’t in contact with their environment lack physical stimuli and have no direct experiences to build on.

The consequences of keeping kids away from open spaces

He also adds that the physical activity that kids engage in while outside is a healthy precaution against obesity. Obesity affects a large portion of the child population because of all the time spent behind closed doors. For this reason, he explains that the lack of playtime outside is a risk to their psychophysical health.

Do you let your children play with sand and mud, or do you prefer that they engage in activities at home? Tell us a funny memory from your childhood where you played with soil or sand!

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