Writing Task 2 Model Answers

Model Answer:

It is sometimes argued that taking part in outdoor activities better helps children to develop than playing games on computers. I completely agree as not only are outdoor activities far more beneficial for children’s mental and physical health, but they also give children more opportunities to interact with others and develop important soft skills.

Firstly, doing activities outdoors, especially in green spaces like parks, woods or sports fields is better for children’s physical and mental wellbeing. Playing outside usually involves movement and physical exercise. Such activity increases children’s strength and fitness, and helps them to develop healthy, strong, and resilient bodies. In fact, a recent study found that children who spend 1 hour outdoors each day are far more resistant to flu and colds than more sedentary children. In addition, outdoor activities allow children to unplug from the virtual world, which can be really beneficial for their mental health as they mature. Connecting with nature and reduced screen time have been shown to help alleviate problems with stress and depression among children, and this in turn improves academic performance.

Secondly, while outdoor games offer many opportunities for communicating with other kids, playing computer games is usually a solitary activity. Being active outside such as when playing football or basketball, having fun in playgrounds, or making camps in the woods, allows children to speak to and collaborate with each other. As a result, children can learn about teamwork and develop soft skills in negotiation and leadership, as well as foster empathy for others. On the other hand, computer games usually only involve one or two players and require much less human interaction and collaboration. This means that the time children spend in front of the screen tends to be less useful for developing interpersonal skills than the time they spend outdoors.

In conclusion, outdoor activities are more effective for the development of children than being cooped up inside gaming. They promote better mental and physical health, while also being more helpful for learning useful interpersonal skills.