Children who play with mud and sand grow stronger and healthier, studies say

Many people have fond childhood memories of playing in the dirt and getting dirty. And it is possible that the same people also remember the scolding of the parents, who did not like all that dirt.

But, honestly speaking, parents knew deep down that it was only a matter of time before their kids got dirty again, because that kind of play is so much fun. And science still says it guarantees health benefits.

O awesome.club explains, below, the reasons why children should play more with sand and clay to grow healthier. After all, as the slogan of a washing powder brand says, “getting dirty is good”.

It is normal for parents, concerned about hygiene and thinking about their children’s safety, to prefer that the little ones play indoors rather than in open spaces. It was based on this premise that the author Richard Louv interviewed approximately 3 thousand families, concluding, after several conversations with children, that most of them do not insist on playing outdoors, preferring to stay indoors, close to technology. “Our children and our children’s children form the most disconnected generations in history in relation to nature” says Louv with concern.

Both Richard Louv and pediatrician Maria Júlia Carvalho, from São Paulo, state that children need to be in contact with microorganisms present in soil and clay in order to gain a stronger immune system. We know that bathing after a game like this takes work. Also, parents can have a hard time finding a balance between having fun and being too messy. But the truth is that games considered “dirty” are very necessary.

On the subject, Dr. Maria Júlia says that contact with these factors helps in the correct development of the immune system of the little ones, and may, in the future, serve as protection against diseases and allergies. In addition, author Richard Louv ensures that outdoor activities stimulate creativity, reduce stress, relieve symptoms of depression and provide greater cognitive development.

According to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunologychildren who live with pets like dogs and cats from an early age are less likely to develop allergies, as they are always in contact with endotoxins — bacteria present in the dust in the environment and that end up strengthening the immune system.

According to the definition of the children’s health system called KidsHealth, the immune system is the one that protects people against external agents, such as germs and bacteria that can harm health. It works by detecting substances that can potentially cause disease and infection, preparing the body to fight them.

But, for this defense to occur correctly, the system needs to adapt to the microorganisms that are found, above all, in external environments. We know that as children grow, they become more resistant to many germs because they have already been exposed to them. With that, the body has already taken advantage of the previous experience to collect the information it needs to defend itself.

Without the presence of microorganisms, the immune system mechanism is more vulnerable to substances that would otherwise not be pathological. This is the case with pollen and animal hair, for example, which would lead to the emergence of allergies. Louv states that, by denying children the right to interact with the external environment, parents and guardians end up preventing the proper development of creativity due to the lack of physical stimuli, not to mention the impossibility of acquiring direct experience provided by certain situations.

Louv also argues that the practice of outdoor activities helps children to avoid obesity, which has been affecting an ever-increasing portion of the child population precisely because of the habit of always staying indoors. In short, the lack of play in open spaces means a risk to mental and physical health.

Do you allow your children to play in the sand and mud, or do you prefer them to have fun indoors? As a child, did you enjoy playing with dirt? Leave a comment with your story!