Rica Peralejo On The Benefits Of Going Outdoors: ‘It Helps A Kid Know Himself’

Getting our kids to engage in outdoor activities can be challenging, especially with their busy school schedules and perhaps, screen time. But let’s face it, outdoor time for our children is crucial, and Smart Parenting Editor-at-Large Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio tackles the topic in her PopRica episode.

As a mom of two boys, Philip and Manu, Rica shares insights from her personal experiences, highlighting the numerous benefits of nature for child development. Here are her key points on why taking children outdoors is essential for their growth and well-being.

Reducing gadget time

One primary reason Rica advocates for outdoor activities is the opportunity it provides to reduce gadget time. She acknowledges the role of technology in children’s lives today, saying, “Let’s all face it, this is the information age, the virtual reality age. And I feel like our kids have come in contact with all things virtual already or like many things virtual and it cannot be helped.” She also admits  how gadgets can be convenient for parents, “I know of some who… I think nakahawak na yung iPad, ng phone, and sometimes it’s a struggle to get them off it. Not only because of how much they love it, but also how convenient it is for us to actually have those gadgets as yayas, right? I mean, I’m guilty of that.”

Rica adds, “When we go outdoors and hike or camp, it’s an opportunity to not only reduce their gadget time, but also to give them a balance of life na, you know, not every day is a safe day.” She highlights how taking children outdoors offers a natural way to divert their attention from screens, fostering a healthier lifestyle.

Character building through uncontrolled environments

Rica emphasizes the character-building aspects of outdoor adventures by sharing her personal experiences, explaining how unpredictable environments teach children to adapt and prepare for the unexpected. “Not everyday is going to be a controlled environment day. When I hike, I sometimes repeat mountains that I would climb and sometimes the same mountain can become like a totally different mountain just because of the weather. I think that’s what I’m talking about when we subject them to something that is not controlled,” she explains.

She further elaborates, “I can’t control if today the rain chooses to rain on us or the sun chooses to be brighter than yesterday. When I’m going through a mountain with all of those elements, it teaches me how to prepare myself for things that are unexpected. It teaches me to deal with things that I may not necessarily like, things that actually they don’t encounter on a day to day basis kasi masyado nang safe yung environment nila.” Rica believes that such experiences can help children develop resilience and problem-solving skills, which are invaluable throughout life.

“It helps a kid to actually know himself. Also, I think my kids have learned so much about themselves just by subjecting our family into conditions like that.”

Self-discovery and personal growth

Rica highlights that outdoor activities provide a platform for self-discovery. She observed that her children have learned a lot about themselves through their adventures. One example she said is that her firstborn, Philip, discovered that talking helps him endure difficult hikes. “To get him moving, to get him to finish a course, no matter how hard and how long, he needs to talk. He needs somebody to chat with for the long haul. And that’s a self-hack that he discovered, we all discovered na. He needs so much of the talk hours for him to endure something very, very hard.” These personal insights, gained through facing challenges, help children understand their strengths and coping mechanisms better.

Teamwork and relationship building

Outdoor activities also promote teamwork and strengthen family bonds. In challenging conditions, family members must work together and support each other. Rica points out, “When conditions are rough and tough, you have no choice but to be a great teammate. Because if not, you’re only going to make your conditions worse, right?”

She continues, “So if you’ve got somebody complaining in your team or your family, one lesson could be, how can I complain less? But then also how to pacify oneself or how to help another teammate, diba? The options are endless for what lesson are we trying to learn in this moment.” These shared experiences teach valuable lessons in cooperation, empathy, and communication, enhancing family relationships. “It’s such a great teacher for our characters to be built and also for our relationships to actually get stronger,” Rica adds.

Physical health benefits

Of course, aside from the character and relationship benefits, outdoor activities are excellent for physical health. In the video, Rica refers to a story from the book “Anatomy of Anxiety,” where a patient with insomnia found relief through a camping trip. “The only thing that worked was when she [the doctor] sent that guy [the patient] on a camping trip for four or five days, out in the woods with no electricity whatsoever… And when he got back to the city, he was reset. He could sleep all over again. And I think there is really something about the natural, like circadian rhythm,” Rica recounts.

How to go outdoors as a family

Rica furthermore offers practical tips for parents who might be hesitant to embark on outdoor adventures. She said:

Go with an experienced person

Join someone knowledgeable on your first few trips to ensure safety and learn the ropes. “There are many things that you cannot foresee if you’ve never done this before, if it’s your first time,” Rica says. “But if someone is already hasang-hasa na dito and an expert of some sort, at least may mga two steps ahead sila sa’yo and they probably have everything that you might have forgotten.

Join online communities

Engage with Facebook groups and other online communities that focus on hiking and camping for advice and inspiration. “My second tip is to join groups of people online that promote this kind of lifestyle or practice this kind of lifestyle so you can get ideas from them,” Rica suggests.

Avoid over-purchasing gear

Start with the basics and gradually acquire equipment based on your actual needs and experiences. “Don’t buy too many things like gears and all without really experiencing it first,” Rica advises. “Experience is the best teacher in this case. The more you do it, the more you know what you need.”

Watch Rica’s full PopRica Episode on exploring outdoors with your child:

Read here to learn how outdoor play can boost a child’s development.