OUTDOOR PLAY
Introduction
Outdoor play is good for your child’s physical health, development and
self-confidence. It’s great fun too!
Playing outside gives your child the chance
to explore the natural environment and have adventures. Your child can play
games, test their physical limits, express themselves and build their
self-confidence.Outdoor play can also mean more mess and more mess often means
more fun!When your child is outside, your child probably has more space and
freedom for big movements like running, jumping, kicking and throwing. Physical
activities like these are good for your child’s health, fitness and physical
development.Spending time outdoors might lower your child’s chances of developing short-sightedness. And a bit
of safe play in the sun can be good
too – small amounts of sunlight exposure can help boost vitamin D levels. The following sections (based on
Wardle, 1996-2003) describe the main reasons why outdoor play is critical for
the healthy development of young children.play ideas include tummy time, ball play,
nature walks, bike rides and more.
Benefits of Playing Outdoor Games for Children
Benefits
of playing outdoor games are plentiful for kids of all ages. Some of the
benefits of outdoor activities are listed below :
Ø It gives them an opportunity to learn
new things.
Playing
outdoor games can be a brilliant way to enhance learning abilities in kids.
They may learn important life lessons and skills, develop a problem-solving
attitude, get to explore nature, acquire new information and an elementary
understanding of science. Moreover, when kids learn outside, they think of
learning as an ongoing and fun activity not as boring activity which is
something they should do in the classroom.
Ø It can help in their physical
development.
Outdoor
play keeps kids active and can boost their physical stamina and fitness.
Playing outdoor games can also strengthen their muscles and bones, build
immunity, and lower the risk of many diseases like diabetes, heart
problems, and obesity. Being in the fresh air and sunshine
can naturally provide them with Vitamin D. Being exposed to electronic gadgets
for longer duration can impair the vision of children. But outdoor play can
improve their eyesight.
Ø It can boost their creativity.
Indulging in outdoor games can make children more creative and boost their imagination skills. Being in the open and surrounded by plants and trees, and other objects can stimulate a child’s imagination power and tap into their creativity.
Ø It can help them acquire social
skills.
Kids
who spend time outdoors and play games with each other tend to interact
effectively with other kids in contrast to kids who remain indoors and are
isolated and withdrawn. If your child spends more time indoors and lives within
a shell of his own, you should urge him to go out and play with other children.
When kids make new friends, take turns to play without adult supervision, or
simply talk to each other, they acquire and improve their social and
communication skills without realising. And this skill can help them in
the future.
Ø It can help them develop a positive
attitude.
Children
who play outdoors tend to develop a positive attitude towards life and have a
calmer and happier disposition. Also, outdoor play provides a great opportunity
to channelize their energy in a meaningful way.
Ø It helps in personality development.
Outdoor
play aid in the personality of a kid. They learn to be independent and
self-reliant. They learn to deal with emergency situations, setbacks, etc.,
sans adult supervision. This instils confidence in them and equips them to
tackle life situations later on. Outdoor play also helps them develop qualities
like discipline, sportsmanship, and leadership – all of which are useful later
in life.
Ø It helps improve the attention span
in children.
Playing
outdoor games can also improve attention span in children. By playing outdoor
games, your
child’s concentration and observational and reasoning
skills will improve. Kids with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
can also benefit from outdoor play – it can improve their attention spans too.
Ø
It strengthens their motor skills.
Engaging
in outdoor games can help kids develop their gross and fine motor skills. They
achieve better agility, coordination, and balance by playing outdoor games.
Ø It makes them lead a healthier
lifestyle.
Kids
who productively involve in outdoor games are more likely to lead a
well-balanced and healthy lifestyle later in their adulthood. They have good
decision-making abilities. They learn to challenge themselves and push their
limitations thus becoming better at risk assessment.
Getting your child into outdoor play:
Ideas :
It’s a good idea to encourage your child to play outside several
times a day.Outdoor play doesn’t have to be a big deal, particularly if you
have an outdoor space at your home. Especially with older children, sometimes
all you need to do is send them out the door and let them come up with
their own games. When younger children are playing outside, though, they need
your help to stay safe around outdoor hazards.many younger
children love to ‘help’. This means that outdoor play can include working
with your child on everyday tasks like weeding, sweeping the driveway,
watering vegetables or hanging clothes on the line.Making time to visit
your local park, oval or playground is a low-cost and easy option,
especially if you don’t have a yard. Your child will probably have even more
room to run around there and might meet other children.If you can walk to the
park, you can also teach your child about road and pedestrian safety on the way.
Even younger children can get out of the stroller and walk for a little while.
Example of the outdoor games :
·
Hide
and Seek
·
Kick
the Can
·
Capture
the Flag
·
Parachute
·
Traffic
Cop
·
Four
Square
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