Mental health experts argue that traditional snow days benefit children more than virtual learning, citing outdoor play and unstructured time as essential for development.
Ahead of a significant winter storm forecast to impact much of the country throughout the weekend, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced there will not be traditional snow days for kids.
The storm is expected to reach the city on Sunday and continue into Monday, bringing as much as 8 to 12 inches of snow and frigid temperatures.
At a weather briefing press conference Friday, Mamdani said the final decision between in-person and remote learning will be announced by Sunday at noon.
“I have to apologize to the students that were hoping for a different answer for a traditional snow day”, he said. “That will not be the case.”‘Unplugging’ for mental health
Following Mamdani’s controversial announcement, doctors weighed in on the decision, pointing out that snow days can be beneficial for kids.
“From a mental health standpoint, the old-school, unplugged snow day is actually very healthy for kids”, Jonathan Alpert, a New York City and Washington, D.C.-based psychotherapist and author, told Fox News Digital. “Sometimes the healthiest message we can send kids is simple: ‘Today, go outside and have fun.’”
Snow days shouldn’t be seen as “lost time”, Alpert added. They help regulate the nervous system, improve mood and allow kids to return to school more focused and refreshed.
The time spent outdoors being physically active can also be beneficial, he noted.
“An occasional snow day gives kids something they rarely get now: old-fashioned outdoor fun”, he said. “Sledding, snowballs, building forts … no screens, no Zoom links, no pressure to stay productive.”
“Children don’t need more screen time”, he added.
