Gen Z has struggled with rising anxiety. Gen Alpha shouldn’t follow suit. That’s why society is looking for proactive ways to pave the way toward healthier mental well-being for the newest generational group, such as giving children more access to fresh air and outdoor play with the help and commitment of forward-leaning schools.
How high has Gen Z’s stress level become? Research from 2024 indicates that 30% of modern teenagers will experience anxiety, a figure that’s expected to grow if deliberate changes aren’t made. The reasons behind this alarming trend range from geopolitical instability to evolving familial structures. Although not all of those sources can be easily addressed, one message is clear: Our schools can use the information learned about Gen Z to put measures in place that are designed to help Gen Alpha thrive.
And giving kids more reasons to get outside is a great starting place.
According to the Kids Mental Health Foundation, when children go outdoors, they typically engage in a variety of physical, social, and emotional activities. And it’s well-documented that exercising the body can profoundly improve mood. Plus, when kids can focus on having unstructured fun in playground environments, they naturally build connections and memories with their peers.
Commercial playground equipment supplier Playground Equipment discusses this concept of “play therapy” and its benefits, noting that when kids are encouraged to play, they gain a stronger sense of resilience. Indeed, expert reporting from the company indicates that the escapism of playing within nature fuels healthier levels of emotional control in kids.
Of course, some parents may find it difficult to determine how best to get their children outside in safe and welcoming environments. To make their job easier, schools are responding by taking steps toward making outdoor play more appealing and effortless.
1. They’re updating their playgrounds to be more inclusive.
Many parents remember the playgrounds they enjoyed as children as being somewhat limited. They had minimal and basic equipment that was adequate but not always accessible. Therefore, some children had to sit on the sidelines (such as those using assistive devices) rather than join in the play.
In response, many schools are making updates, such as installing equipment that meets ADA requirements. Additionally, they’re adding equipment pieces meant for use by both children and adults. Or, they’re adding benches and shaded areas to make being at the playground more comfortable for parents and grandparents.
It’s not hard to see how the inclusivity of a playground can affect young visitors’ anxiety levels. Instead of feeling unwelcome, children of all backgrounds and with most conditions can engage with at least some parts of the play space. This gives them the same chance to gain the mental well-being advantages of being outdoors as their peers who are not disabled. In fact, one study on inclusive play observed that 71% of children actively engaged in functional play when given the chance to exercise at an inclusive playground.
2. They’re expanding their playground footprints.
Some schools may have limited playground space. However, other schools are looking for creative ways to expand their play areas to give children more places and ways to exercise their bodies and brains.
Notably, many schools are partnering with community entities to make this type of expansion feasible, even if their budgets are limited. Case in point, Mind on Math donated funds toward a playground expansion at a local elementary school. The corporate donation was part of the organization’s commitment to fuel brighter tomorrows for young people in the education company’s service area.
Expanding the footprint of a playground achieves several key goals when it comes to helping children release their anxieties through activity. First, it broadens the number of individuals who can partake in the playground simultaneously. More visitors mean more chances for unplanned “play dates” and similar social interactions. Secondly, it adds new equipment and areas to the playground, which may encourage families to visit more frequently or stay longer. Finally, it gives the school interesting items to talk about in their online and offline outreach communications.
3. They’re serving as the local neighborhood community playground.
It would be wonderful if playgrounds were close to every home. They’re not.
In fact, many children and their parents find it difficult to get to playgrounds because they’re not around the corner. The Trust for Public Land talks about this phenomenon in depth, explaining that it bridges a gap in service areas. According to the organization, millions of people don’t have a park that’s within a 10-minute walk of where they live. But they might have a school that’s closer, and the school’s playground can become an outdoor beacon.
To solve this issue, some schools are creating agreements with their local governments to allow them to serve as community playgrounds. By making their play spaces available to people within the community during non-school hours, elementary and middle schools can make a difference in the lives of countless kids. And many of those kids may be part of their existing student population, allowing them to serve the children they already educate.
Kids will always have to deal with anxiety. After all, stressors are a natural experience. However, too much anxiety can be a burden and a barrier to achievement for Gen Alpha, as it’s been for many Gen Z members. That’s why it’s essential for schools to respond with innovative, enlightened measures.
Gen Z has struggled with rising anxiety. Gen Alpha shouldn’t follow suit. That’s why society is looking for proactive ways to pave the way toward healthier mental well-being for the newest generational group, such as giving children more access to fresh air and outdoor play with the help and commitment of forward-leaning schools.
How high has Gen Z’s stress level become? Research from 2024 indicates that 30% of modern teenagers will experience anxiety, a figure that’s expected to grow if deliberate changes aren’t made. The reasons behind this alarming trend range from geopolitical instability to evolving familial structures. Although not all of those sources can be easily addressed, one message is clear: Our schools can use the information learned about Gen Z to put measures in place that are designed to help Gen Alpha thrive.
And giving kids more reasons to get outside is a great starting place.
According to the Kids Mental Health Foundation, when children go outdoors, they typically engage in a variety of physical, social, and emotional activities. And it’s well-documented that exercising the body can profoundly improve mood. Plus, when kids can focus on having unstructured fun in playground environments, they naturally build connections and memories with their peers.
Commercial playground equipment supplier Playground Equipment discusses this concept of “play therapy” and its benefits, noting that when kids are encouraged to play, they gain a stronger sense of resilience. Indeed, expert reporting from the company indicates that the escapism of playing within nature fuels healthier levels of emotional control in kids.
Of course, some parents may find it difficult to determine how best to get their children outside in safe and welcoming environments. To make their job easier, schools are responding by taking steps toward making outdoor play more appealing and effortless.
1. They’re updating their playgrounds to be more inclusive.
Many parents remember the playgrounds they enjoyed as children as being somewhat limited. They had minimal and basic equipment that was adequate but not always accessible. Therefore, some children had to sit on the sidelines (such as those using assistive devices) rather than join in the play.
In response, many schools are making updates, such as installing equipment that meets ADA requirements. Additionally, they’re adding equipment pieces meant for use by both children and adults. Or, they’re adding benches and shaded areas to make being at the playground more comfortable for parents and grandparents.
It’s not hard to see how the inclusivity of a playground can affect young visitors’ anxiety levels. Instead of feeling unwelcome, children of all backgrounds and with most conditions can engage with at least some parts of the play space. This gives them the same chance to gain the mental well-being advantages of being outdoors as their peers who are not disabled. In fact, one study on inclusive play observed that 71% of children actively engaged in functional play when given the chance to exercise at an inclusive playground.
2. They’re expanding their playground footprints.
Some schools may have limited playground space. However, other schools are looking for creative ways to expand their play areas to give children more places and ways to exercise their bodies and brains.
Notably, many schools are partnering with community entities to make this type of expansion feasible, even if their budgets are limited. Case in point, Mind on Math donated funds toward a playground expansion at a local elementary school. The corporate donation was part of the organization’s commitment to fuel brighter tomorrows for young people in the education company’s service area.
Expanding the footprint of a playground achieves several key goals when it comes to helping children release their anxieties through activity. First, it broadens the number of individuals who can partake in the playground simultaneously. More visitors mean more chances for unplanned “play dates” and similar social interactions. Secondly, it adds new equipment and areas to the playground, which may encourage families to visit more frequently or stay longer. Finally, it gives the school interesting items to talk about in their online and offline outreach communications.
3. They’re serving as the local neighborhood community playground.
It would be wonderful if playgrounds were close to every home. They’re not.
In fact, many children and their parents find it difficult to get to playgrounds because they’re not around the corner. The Trust for Public Land talks about this phenomenon in depth, explaining that it bridges a gap in service areas. According to the organization, millions of people don’t have a park that’s within a 10-minute walk of where they live. But they might have a school that’s closer, and the school’s playground can become an outdoor beacon.
To solve this issue, some schools are creating agreements with their local governments to allow them to serve as community playgrounds. By making their play spaces available to people within the community during non-school hours, elementary and middle schools can make a difference in the lives of countless kids. And many of those kids may be part of their existing student population, allowing them to serve the children they already educate.
Kids will always have to deal with anxiety. After all, stressors are a natural experience. However, too much anxiety can be a burden and a barrier to achievement for Gen Alpha, as it’s been for many Gen Z members. That’s why it’s essential for schools to respond with innovative, enlightened measures.
