Do you remember rolling down grassy hills as a child? I sure do. I remember rejoicing with my brothers and neighborhood friends whenever we found the perfect spot to go for a roll. We laughed, we squealed with joy, we connected with nature, and we helped our bodies develop properly. What could be better than that?
Get Outside & Connect Activity Week #35 – Roll down a Hill
This weeks activity is to get outside and go for a roll down a hill. Find a grassy hill that does not have hidden dangers such as rocks, sticks, holes, etc. Instead look for a nice gentle sloping grassy hill to roll down. They can often be found in parks or open fields.
Alternatively, you can look for a nice sandy slope to roll down. Make sure you close your eyes or wear goggles if you choose this as your hill.
Benefits of Going for a Roll down a hill
There has been a large increase in the number of children with sensory processing disorders in recent years. These children often have underdeveloped vestibular (balance) systems. As a result, these children have a decreased sense of body awareness and an impaired sense of space.
Rolling down hills is one way to counter this. Our vestibular or balance system is challenged by moving in all directions while rolling down grassy hills. Rolling also helps provide necessary stimulation to the muscles and ligaments in the body. This helps improve the proprioceptive sense. This is exactly what the human body needs to develop properly and heal. Call it nature’s medicine.
Children need to move and play outside on a regular basis in order to develop healthy sensory systems. They also need to be surrounded by adults who encourage their children to play outside and take “healthy” risks. Their developing sensory systems depend on it. This is one of the most important reasons why we all need to get outside, connect with nature, roll down hills, climb trees, walk on fallen trees, and go bouldering.
Rolling down hill is not just for kids
Rolling down hills is for everyone. There is a group of senior citizens in Singapore, who roll down hills every day in the name of good health. They consider it a therapeutic activity that has the power to cure their ills.
They believe that rolling down hills helps the body absorb much-needed negative ions in the earth. I don’t know if negative ions can cure cancer, but they have been shown to relieve stress and improve mood. I think that’s worth a roll don’t you?
Rolling down hills is a great way to get outside, connect, laugh, and have fun. It is also the perfect activity for the developing sensory system. Get outside and go for a roll down a hill today!
All of the other articles in this series can be found at the following link:
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Sounds interesting. Have to try that “rolling down a hill.”
Give it a try Betty… you won’t regret it 😉
One of my daughter’s favorite things to do at the park is roll down the hill until she gets dizzy, lol! The giggling is priceless!
I totally agree! I can remember laughing to the point of tears as a child, and I enjoy my daughters laughter so much I often join in on the fun 🙂
I loved rolling down hills as a little girl! Heck I still roll down hills, I am so glad to see there are benefits to this fun activity and will continue to roll with my daughter lol.
I’m so glad you love rolling down hills! I still do it with my daughter too 😉 I love knowing that it is doing our bodies good!
This was one of our favourite things to do in our old backyard. I love this series because it encourages me to stop and think about those outdoor activities that probably did contribute to a well-rounded sensory vestibular experience.
I was and still is one of my favorite things to do. As a child I never knew about all the benefits of outside play to the sensory system. In today’s day where more and more children are developing sensory issues it’s even more important to get them outside doing things like this.