Children of all ages benefit from playing outdoors, according to the Child Care Aware website. The Newcastle School website recommends providing a playground where children can run, jump, make noise and let loose. The outdoor playing area should be safe and accessible. The article advises against making playground time too controlled or regimented. While outdoors, children should be supervised at all times.
Skills Development
According to an article by Anita Britt, Ph.D., with the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, playing outdoors allows children to learn physical skills because they have the freedom to move in ways that they can't indoors. They can climb, run and jump while making noise. They develop different voices for each environment.
Discovery
Children can discover a variety of things outdoors that aren't available inside. Children learn the differences between playing indoors with even surfaces and outside play where the ground isn't level. If a child stacks blocks on a level table indoors, they are likely to stay in place, but stacked on grass, they might fall over because the surface is uneven. They discover different textures, smells and sounds that naturally occur outdoors. Britt says children can learn from an environment that isn't sanitized.
Babies who can't walk can still benefit from being outdoors. They can still see, smell and hear sounds that are different from indoors. Make a game of imitating sounds of birds and other outdoor animals and elements. Babies will also enjoy watching older children on the playground.
Physical Fitness
Playing outdoors enables children to move more, which helps keep them physically fit. It also helps develop their cardiovascular system and gross motor skills, claims the Newcastle School website. They build endurance and an appreciation for physical activity as they keep their major muscle groups moving.
Confidence and Social Interaction
As children play outdoors and develop their skills, they learn what their bodies are able to do. Outdoors they are challenged to improve gross motor skills, which will help them gain confidence as they progress. According to the Kids Toy Store website, self-confident children tend to interact more with others. They learn to take turns on playground equipment and to be a team player during outdoor games.
Outdoor Activities
Provide a variety of outdoor activities for children of each age group. Change the scenery for babies by going to different parks or turning the stroller toward a different view. Toddlers can move around the outdoor play area at will without structure but with the safety of adult supervision and equipment that is appropriate to their age. Riding toys and balls can help both toddlers and preschoolers develop their gross motor skills. Preschoolers can climb, jump, run and swing as well as play some organized games with balls and jump ropes. Older children will enjoy outdoor nature walks, parachute games and team sports.
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