The Benefits of Outdoor Play

We know sitting in front of video games and TV. arelive near woods, always making sure they never enter
not health beneficial. Being out doors helps our childrenextremely wooded areas alone.
to become creative. It is also known that children sleepChildren with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). This
better when they have played outdoors. My ownstudy examined the relationship between children's
children spent hours outdoors. They came in filthy,nature exposure through leisure activities and their
ninety percent of the time. They were so exhaustedintentional functioning using both within and
they would fall asleep in their bath. I did not mind the dirtbetween-subjects comparisons. Parents were
on them nor did my wife, it meant to us that oursurveyed regarding their child's intentional functioning
children had a great time.after activities in several settings. Results indicate that
The benefits of outdoor play can be found physicallychildren function better than usual after activities in
and mentally. Physically we know the benefits strengthgreen settings and that the "greener" a child's play
endurance and builds coordination. Physical activity:area, the less severe his or her attention deficit
mats, balls, riding toys, etc. Playing outside is a valuablesymptoms. Thus, contact with nature may support
activity for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. In manyintentional functioning in a population of children who
ways it promotes their development. Babies, toddlersdesperately need intentional support. Besides all this,
and preschoolers are sensory-motor learners. Besidesplaying outdoors reduces stress in kids. Children
all the health benefits, playing outside stretchesexpress and work out emotional aspects of every
children's thinking and knowledge. Children needday experiences through unstructured play. Children
coordination, they need a chance to practice theirallowed to play freely with peers learn skills for seeing
basic physical skills. Outdoor play time also allowsthings through another persons perspective,
children to move freely and make noise, forms ofcooperating, sharing, and solving problems.
self-expression that are often restricted indoors.Children learn from motion. As adults we know that
Too often these days we are afraid to allow ourwe learn through doing, it is the same for children.
children to play outside. There are so many dangersDeveloping perceptual abilities might suffer, when so
waiting around every corner. Make play groups, get amany of their experiences are through media
bunch of kids together and start games with them.computers books and homework. The sense of smell
Just be close by to make sure no injuries occur. Itouch and taste are wonderful ways to learn.
know as a working parent it is very hard to make sureChildren who are more free to spend time out doors,
your kids get out side daily. If neighbors could comegain courage in moving through the larger world. They
together and each take one day a week toshould gain the ability to navigate their immediate
encourage the children in your neighborhood to playsurroundings, in safety, thus laying the foundation for
together. Each parent taking turns on the differentthe competence to eventually lead their own lives.
days of the week, before long you will have very busyThe world we live in today is increasingly complex, and
kids, not to mention free time for the separate parents,a little scary. The fact remains our children need as
whose turn it is not.much as we did, the freedom to feel the wind on their
Having kids go out and pick different leaves up to putcheek. The kiss of the sun, and engaging in self-paced
in wax paper is a great way to get them outside andplay. Ignoring the developmental functions of
walking around. The children adore little art projectsunstructured outdoor play denies children the
such as this. There are many benefits to outdoor play.opportunity to expand their imaginations beyond the
It also gives our children a sense of adventure if theyconstraints of the classroom.