WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR PLAY IN THE EARLY YEARS?

When a child plays outside at the playground, they get to explore their physical capabilities in new ways without the restrictions of indoor play. They can sing, jump, skip, climb and enjoy the simple pleasures of being a child without the distractions of TV or computers. As they have fun and play, they’ll learn a lot about other children, themselves and the world around them.

A multitude of studies on the concept of childhood play all confirm the same critical fact — play is an essential aspect of learning. Here’s an overview of the reasons kids need to play.

• Mastering new skills: When children play outside, they learn what they’re physically capable of, and they develop the confidence to repeat activities until they become masters. For example, a young child can learn how to climb by using age-appropriate equipment at a playground. Once they make it to the top, they’ll have confidence in their ability to climb, and they will be ready to develop coordination and strength further. On the other hand, if a child stays indoors all the time, they might not have the means to climb safely and build physical skills through repetition.
• Social interactions: When kids play outside with other children, they get to interact in an unstructured environment. These interactions give them the chance to learn, make discoveries and share their newfound knowledge with other children. Many times, children do not have the opportunity to play with different groups of children when they are stuck indoors and are, therefore, limited in what they can learn about social behavior.
• Learning a variety of skills: The outdoor environment offers unique ways to build different skills, and many of these educational opportunities don’t exist indoors. For example, a child might practice stacking building blocks on uneven ground outside, or pushing a toy car through the grass. When children play outside, they learn how to solve problems as they explore an environment that’s filled with ever-changing sounds, sights and textures.
• Using their imagination: Children can set their imagination free when they play outside and have fun without the need for various toys or electronics. An outdoor play area makes an

excellent setting for playing make-believe, for example, and allows children to build creativity and social skills. For instance, a child could pretend a tree is a giant in their magical world, and act out an entire story without needing anything else but their imagination and a playmate.

A child’s curiosity is the only fuel they need to play. As a child grows, their play becomes more complex. Children who lack exposure to play may end up having a stunted ability to develop and learn. Just as eating and sleeping are essential to a child’s health, so too is play.

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