President's Message, November 2025
Kate Tigue, MD, FAAP
Dear colleagues,
As the seasons change once again in Pennsylvania, we say goodbye to our beautiful autumnal colors, ready our gloves, hats and shovels and count the days until the hours of daylight start to increase.
The colder weather does not automatically limit our children to play indoors but it can make it more challenging to maximize the daylight and prepare for fun, active play outside. In our offices we discuss proper outdoor clothing and encourage families to explore our beautiful state no matter what season is beckoning outside the window. As we have these discussions it is a wonderful opportunity to review and discuss the Pennsylvania Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. Developed by the PA AAP Climate and Environmental Health Committee led by Dr Gabe Cisneros (PA AAP Secretary-Treasurer) and Dr. Mark McShane, the Pennsylvania Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights is intended to serve as a guide to ensure that Pennsylvania children enjoy healthy, active lifestyles by spending time outdoors. We believe and advocate that all Pennsylvania children are entitled to:
● Breathe clean air
● Play in safe, welcoming neighborhood parks and green spaces
● Learn about nature in classrooms, libraries, and schoolyards
● Explore the beauty of Pennsylvania’s natural habitats
● Swim, splash, and fish in clean rivers, lakes, and ponds
● Plant seeds and harvest healthy produce from a garden or farm
● Compost and recycle to preserve their local environments
● Safely bike, ride, run, or hike on protected trails and lanes
● Access free or low-cost outdoor programs
● Gaze into a starry night sky
So many of us can recall childhood experiences that allowed us to explore our neighborhoods on bikes with friends, fishing and skipping stones along our streams and waterways, sledding all day on the steepest hill until exhaustion set in and relaxing with picnic lunches in beautiful, grassy parks.
Technology is certainly interfering with childhood play, especially outdoor, active play. But the power of technology can be harnessed to enhance children’s outdoor play. Online trail maps help families explore new areas in our commonwealth; step counters can help encourage kids to be more active each day and set goals for themselves plus online astronomy links can bring detail to the stars in our skies.
The PA AAP is very grateful to have the support of Governor Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Davis as they signed recent proclamations on October 9, 2025 supporting the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. We can continue to use this information as powerful talking points in our well child anticipatory guidance but we must also realize there is work to be done in our local communities to ensure these outdoor experiences are available to all of our children in safe communities everywhere.
May this emerging winter season bring opportunities to enjoy all Pennsylvania has to offer for all of our kids and their families.
Best,
As the seasons change once again in Pennsylvania, we say goodbye to our beautiful autumnal colors, ready our gloves, hats and shovels and count the days until the hours of daylight start to increase.
The colder weather does not automatically limit our children to play indoors but it can make it more challenging to maximize the daylight and prepare for fun, active play outside. In our offices we discuss proper outdoor clothing and encourage families to explore our beautiful state no matter what season is beckoning outside the window. As we have these discussions it is a wonderful opportunity to review and discuss the Pennsylvania Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. Developed by the PA AAP Climate and Environmental Health Committee led by Dr Gabe Cisneros (PA AAP Secretary-Treasurer) and Dr. Mark McShane, the Pennsylvania Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights is intended to serve as a guide to ensure that Pennsylvania children enjoy healthy, active lifestyles by spending time outdoors. We believe and advocate that all Pennsylvania children are entitled to:
● Breathe clean air
● Play in safe, welcoming neighborhood parks and green spaces
● Learn about nature in classrooms, libraries, and schoolyards
● Explore the beauty of Pennsylvania’s natural habitats
● Swim, splash, and fish in clean rivers, lakes, and ponds
● Plant seeds and harvest healthy produce from a garden or farm
● Compost and recycle to preserve their local environments
● Safely bike, ride, run, or hike on protected trails and lanes
● Access free or low-cost outdoor programs
● Gaze into a starry night sky
So many of us can recall childhood experiences that allowed us to explore our neighborhoods on bikes with friends, fishing and skipping stones along our streams and waterways, sledding all day on the steepest hill until exhaustion set in and relaxing with picnic lunches in beautiful, grassy parks.
Technology is certainly interfering with childhood play, especially outdoor, active play. But the power of technology can be harnessed to enhance children’s outdoor play. Online trail maps help families explore new areas in our commonwealth; step counters can help encourage kids to be more active each day and set goals for themselves plus online astronomy links can bring detail to the stars in our skies.
The PA AAP is very grateful to have the support of Governor Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Davis as they signed recent proclamations on October 9, 2025 supporting the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. We can continue to use this information as powerful talking points in our well child anticipatory guidance but we must also realize there is work to be done in our local communities to ensure these outdoor experiences are available to all of our children in safe communities everywhere.
May this emerging winter season bring opportunities to enjoy all Pennsylvania has to offer for all of our kids and their families.
Best,
Kate Tigue, MD, FAAP
President, PA AAP
2024-2026
President, PA AAP
2024-2026