Child’s play is not just all fun and games; rather the act of play is a crucial component in the growth and development of the brain, body and intellect. Studies of how young people learn have proven that children, especially, acquire knowledge through play, experimentation, exploration and discovery. Research actually shows us that many of the fundamental tasks that children must achieve such as, exploring, risk-taking, fine and gross motor development and the absorption of vast amounts of basic knowledge can be most effectively learned though outdoor play.
But what are the benefits to outdoor play? In what ways does playing outside help towards your child's development? On this blog post we hope to explore a few benefits of outdoor play for children of different age groups.
The most important benefits of recess, or just outdoor play time are simple: it's an opportunity for a child to freely play, or think the way they want to think, and not be directed by an adult or teacher. This type of thinking enables the child to use the brain the way he or she wishes to use it. In the outside playground children can learn math, science, ecology, gardening, ornithology, construction, farming, vocabulary, the seasons, the various times of the day and all about the local weather. Children are also physically active during play, and develop social, emotional and cognitive competencies. Although children love to move, and adults tend to think of them as constantly being in motion, children today are leading much more sedentary lives than their predecessors. According to research, children ages 2 to 5 spend close to 25 hours of TV time each week. In fact, watching television is the predominant sedentary behavior in children, second only to sleeping.
Ages 3-9 months
Infants three to nine months old experience important developmental milestones that incorporate four aspects: sensory, social, language and physical. Specific types of learning take place during the first eight months of life, this is the reason outdoor playtime and one on one engagement is so important. Interacting with infants exercises their brain and develops the memory needed to continue to use and keep brain cells. Brain cells for vision start rapidly developing between two to four months of age and peak in intensity at eight months, which is the time when babies take notice of the world around them. A baby’s brain absorbs a lot more than we realize as they try to make sense of the world through soaking up noises, sights and experiences around them. Outdoor play gives an infant the opportunity to develop their senses as well as introduces the environment for which they live in.
Ages 10-12 months
Ten to twelve month olds are in the mist of leaving the infant stage and moving into the toddler stage. They are very inquisitive and exploration becomes an even greater part of their world. They begin playing, using their sense of touch, taste, and smell to experience their environment. They work on building relationships with others by learning how to give gentle hugs, and learning how to take turns. An infant’s first exposure to play is through parents, siblings and caregivers, with games like peek-a-boo and patty cake. Usually by ten months of age, the infant is crawling, pulling to stand, taking a few steps with assistance and by twelve months of age, taking those first few steps by themselves. They are reaching out within their surroundings to interact with others, playing with other children in games such as building blocks, throwing objects and gaining others attention by making sounds and gestures. Researchers agree that play is imperative to a child’s development, improving the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of the infant and child.
Ages 15-20 months
Fifteen to twenty months is a milestone for toddlers as they learn to do so much not only with their feet, but also with their hands and minds. Between 15-18 months, your toddler will be curious about everything and is keen to play, experiment and explore. Play has a very important role during this age and it develops thinking, imagination and creativity. At 15 months, there are several different types of play that are important for the development of social and physical skills, which will in turn help develop your toddler’s brain.
Ages 2 to 3/5 years old
Two to three year old children love to have open, spontaneous outdoor play, which can be mistaken for being just fun and exciting. The act of play by a child stimulates brain development and function and has key roles in building the foundation, organization, and capabilities of the brain. Movement is the epicenter of children’s lives and is crucial to all aspects of a child’s development. Physical activity on regular basis allows a child to experience the benefits of movement to the fullest extent. Regular physical activity will lead to an assertive and capable child. “To deny children the opportunity to reap the many benefits of regular, vigorous, physical activity is to deny them the opportunity to experience the joy of efficient movement, the health effects of movement, and a lifetime as confident, competent movers." Contacts with the outdoors help children learn concepts such as cause and effect and making connections. They learn that the sun dries puddles and melts snow, and that wind makes things move. Preschoolers learn important science concepts as they explore the properties of natural objects and materials and notice how things are the same and different, experiment with using tools (for example, shovels and sticks) for different purposes, and predict if and where they will see worms after it rains. They gain spatial awareness (a geometry concept) as they move their bodies though space in different ways and at different speeds, and observe the world from different perspectives, such as lying on their backs on a blanket, standing on top of a hill, or swinging back and forth in a swing or hammock. They notice different sounds and learn to tell them apart, which is a crucial skill for later literacy development. The two and half to three and half year old is very active, they are learning how to climb stairs, ride a tricycle, walk on their tiptoes, throwing or catching balls, and kicking a ball, among many other activities.
Ages 3 to 5 years old
We have all heard the phrase, children are like little sponges and while this statement is meant to be funny, this is actually very true! Ages three and a half to five years old is a crucial time in a child’s brain development for socialization and gaining independence. Between ages three and five, your child goes from believing that everyone sees the world the same way to understanding that there can be multiple points of view. Much of this learning and understanding takes place through play, which experts stress is a complex series of skills that take time to develop. As your child begins to play with others, he/she will learn via trial and error to cooperate and negotiate with other children through sharing and taking turns. Along with gaining more socialization skills at this age, outdoor play will increase your child’s motor functions and independence. During the preschool years, he/she is also developing executive functions, which control memory, timing, and sequencing—these abilities are essential for more complex physical activities. Outdoor play benefits your child into becoming more of an individual and the ability to learn how to express himself/herself.
Young children need the opportunity to use their whole body and develop their gross motor skills. It's only when they have mastered these that they will be able to control their fine motor skills, such as using a knife and fork or holding a pencil, for instance. As a result, children playing outside can have a positive impact. The Play Strategy for Scotland 2013 says: ‘Open space allows children to be physically active and challenge themselves so they sleep and eat well and form healthy habits that will stay with them for life.’
There is an alarming trend toward limiting outdoor plan and or recess during the school day. As advocates of young children, at Kids 1st we encourage outdoor play as much as possible. The act of play is a crucial component in the growth and development of the brain, body and intellect. It is important to understand that many of the fundamental tasks that children must achieve, such as exploring, risk-taking, fine and gross motor development and the absorption of vast amounts of basic knowledge, can be most effectively learned though outdoor play.
Source - https://www.nct.org.uk/parenting/why-outdoor-play-important
