Unusually long periods of very cold weather across Canada this winter have prompted some schools and parents to keep young people indoors, but one doctor says they should go out anyway. Toronto Dr. Dan Flanders was on local radio saying it was a “terrible idea” to keep students indoors for recess even in double-digit minus temperatures.
“Going bonkers”
“It must be horrible for them,” said Flanders. “They must be going bonkers.
“If you dress your kids up properly, if you dress them according to the weather, there really isn’t much risk,” he said.
“We know from the scientific literature that play and movement and physical activity is crucially important to kids’ health and well-being that strikes me as quite a benefit.”
The Toronto District School Board policy is to keep kids inside when the wind-chill factor is below –28 C, as it was on Tuesday.
Decades ago, Canadian children spent much more time playing outside even when it was very cold. Now, many prefer to stay indoors in front of computer and television screens, to the detriment of their health.
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