Spending time outdoors in nature is a good way of introducing children to new sights, sounds and smells. They can listen to birds singing and observe their movement in the trees. Children can catch fireflies and ladybugs. They can walk on the beach, plant flowers and explore parks. All of these unfamiliar experiences can spark curiosity. For example, what type of animals live in the forest? What insects do you see on the leaf? Where does sand come from?
As a parent or guardian, you should encourage your child’s inquisitiveness by talking about what interests them while playing in the backyard, during your nature walks or at the playground. You could talk about the different types of trees you observe during your daily walk to the park. Gather leaves, sticks, seashells and rocks from outside. You can take them inside and then sort them by size and color, and then use them in for arts and craft projects.
Young children love to help mom and dad. This means that outdoor play can also include working with your toddler on everyday tasks like weeding the garden, sweeping the driveway, watering vegetables or hanging clothes on the line.
What is important is that outdoor play is about encouraging your children to be physically active so that they are able to develop their motor skills, especially in relation to their balance, coordination, and strength. As they grow older, outdoor play can help them improve their agility and stamina.
Activities for different ages
While babies are not able to run around or climb the monkey bars, by being outside and using their five senses (taste, smell, touch, hearing and sight), they can better understand and adapt to the world around them. Therefore, ensure your baby enjoys tummy time on a blanket on the grass. Have them smell the flowers and listen to the birds. As they develop, let them crawl on the grass and go under patio furniture. Take your one-year-old to the beach so they can feel the grainy sand or place them on the slide so they could feel the smoothness as different textures are important for babies to understand the world around them.
Toddlers are keen to continue to explore the world they live in as they test out their new physical skills. For example, encourage them to hide toys in the sand, observe what happens when ice melts and make snow angels. Have your toddler blow bubbles and chase them as they float away, jump over puddles or play hopscotch in the driveway. Encourage them to push their stroller or pull a wagon with their favorite toy. Go to the park to kick a soccer ball, run in the open space or throw a beach ball.
Around 2 years of age, you may see that your child begins to observe older children at play. Although your toddler still prefers to play independently, they may progress to choosing to play nearby the older children. At 3 years old, your child will continue to show more signs of playing with other children, though it will still be minimal. Persuade them to play with other children. Encourage your children to use their imagination. During your nature walks together have them name all of the different sounds they hear. Take a magnifying glass and have them name all the insects they see on the tree leaves. How about working together to build a playhouse out of old boxes and blankets?
Just doing ten minutes of physical activity outdoors a day releases chemicals, such as serotonin, helping children lower their anxiety and stress levels as well as by boosting their self-esteem.
Improving key skills
Outdoor play can improve key emotional and physiological skills that are essential to your child’s overall development.
– Foster Independence – During unstructured outdoor play, children enjoy exploring their surroundings, being adventurous and learning to be self-reliant as they practice problem-solving and organizational skills. For example, ‘How fast can I run?’, ‘Can I jump over the puddle?’, and ‘How many animals can I see at the park?’
– Build resilience – Spending time outside can be unpredictable as outdoor play can teach children to push through uncomfortable situations, building confidence and internal motivation.
– Improve Interpersonal Skills – Outside is the perfect place for children to make friends, developing their social and emotional skills by engaging in group activities.
Outdoor play has so many benefits for your children. Ensure you schedule time for your child as well as incorporating all the family.
Put sunscreen and hats on your children when the weather is hot and sunny. Wear warm clothes on cold days. On rainy days, make sure your children wear boots and raincoats. Look for some big puddles to jump in. If it’s dark outside, let your child play with a flashlight. On a windy day, you can try flying a kite. Whatever the weather, dress your children so they can go outdoors and play.