Children's need for adventure.....

Even though some children thrive on routine and sameness other children could have a strong need for diversity and new experiences. According to research conducted by One Poll in the UK in May 2010, 85% of children between the age of 6 and 12 years longed for more adventure in their lives, while 85% of parents acknowledged that adventure is important for their children to experience.

Encouraging adventure does not need to be costly for parents. There are many cost effective ways to provide your children with unique and new experiences on a regular basis. Nowadays many children seem to create a sense of adventure through playing computer games as they have an opportunity to enter an exciting virtual world. There is however some skills that computer games can never invest in children; parents play a crucial role in this regard. Through providing an opportunity for your child to engage in adventures such as the ones listed below you can assist your child with the necessary social skills and teach them socially appropriate ways of interaction, and teach them about the outdoors.

Here are a few adventurous ideas:
-Encourage children to play outside....
If you reside in a townhouse/flat with no garden it is a good idea to visit a park or have great days out where you can have a picnic, throw a ball or walk the dogs. 
​-Let your child assist you with cooking/baking and try new recipes in the kitchen with you.
You can teach your child new skills, and broaden their views by teaching them about food from various cultures around the world. Children can express creativity through decorating what they cooked/baked.
-Try a science experiment with your child at home and use this as a learning opportunity.
You can get a few ideas for experiments that can be done at home by visiting the page by clicking on the link below:
https://sciencebob.com/category/experiments/
-Play a new game with your children at home, this could either be a board game/a game you used to play as a child.
If you click on the link below you can see a few ideas for games that can be played indoors with children.
http://www.todaysparent.com/toddler/20-fun-indoor-games/
-Visiting new places where your children have not been previously.
If you click on the link below you will find a list of interesting places to visit in and around Gauteng.
http://www.getaway.co.za/travel-ideas/19-free-gauteng/

The benefits that adventures could provide for children:

-Children could learn to deal with uncertainties and learn how to cope in  a new environment
-Children can enhance their self-awareness through becoming more aware of their personal strengths and weaknesses and develop their unique opinions.
-They have an opportunity to express their creativity and uniqueness.
-Parents have an opportunity to bond with their children as they are not focused on the television, household duties and work.
-These activities can assist children with aspects of normal child development.
-These experiences provide great opportunities for learning new skills, and for empowerment of children.
-These activities could assist children with relaxation as they are not focused on stressors in their environment.

Children grow up so quickly, if you as a parent are reading this. Do not delay and start planning adventurous activities with your child as this is the ideal opportunity to invest and bond with them. These skills and experiences can benefit your child and add value to family relationships for many years to come.
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