Once, parents had a hard time calling their children home when they were playing outside for hours, not knowing how quickly the time had passed. However, in the age of technology, it seems that the children prefer virtual games instead of the games they played outside.
According to a study conducted by the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (CAPL), the "play age," which is attributed to children between the ages 8 and 12, has almost come to an end as children are less active and lack motivation, basic motor skills and knowledge of how to play with their peers in playgrounds.
The study observed 10,034 children over a period of three years and found out that only a third of the children meet the basic physical requirements that the children of their age should have. In addition, nearly two-thirds of the children were not able perform as they should while throwing a ball or with basic aerobics, lacking the necessary abilities to play with their peers outside the comfort of their houses.
One of the academics that conducted the study Dr. Mark Tremblay underlined that the lack of physical abilities in children might lead to bigger health problems in the future.
"We all know that modern children are less physically active then they used to be. They sleep less and are heavier than before," said Dr. Tremblay.
Explaining that the ways that children amuse themselves have changed significantly in the age of technology, Dr. Tremblay said: "In the future, we will have a generation who have never climbed a tree or ridden a bicycle," concluded Dr. Tremblay.
