CHILDREN are being urged to get off their backsides and swap time in front of a screen for an adventure in the great outdoors, and I couldn’t agree more.

Much of my childhood was spent running wild on the commons and hills near my house – making dams, climbing trees, falling out of trees, building dens and making up games.

I’d like to think that did me the world of good and I would still rather spend time outside than anywhere else because my love of fresh air and exercise has stayed with me.

Zooming about like a loon should be a rite of passage for any childhood – it wouldn’t go amiss for adults too if someone could work out a way of making it socially acceptable.

But today’s kids have lost touch with nature, opting to watch television or play computer games instead of broadening their horizons.

It is time to stop allowing them the endless comfort provided by the sofa and make time and space for them to reconnect with what lies beyond.

Schools are waking up to the need for physical play by looking to provide time to let youngsters whizz around during the day in a bid to re-energise them and improve their ability to learn.

It seems like common sense but has taken the best part of a generation to address the issue.

Hopefully it sees a change in attitude to play and exercise among children at school, something which during my time at both primary and secondary school was often forced to play second fiddle At times organised sport was ignored completely because it was too competitive (isn’t that the point) or shunted out of the timetable.

I recall being forced to study German (because I was good at French!) and forsake one of my two PE lessons for two years – what sort of message does that give out about the importance of living a healthy, balanced lifestyle?

My only gripe is that no one seems to be looking to roll out a similar initiative for adults who spend their working week in an office.

Could a couple of additional short breaks to let off steam help increase productivity and ward off lethargy?

I’d certainly be keen to give it a go and find out.

Neil Watts