The Benefits of Out Door Play

Well we know sitting in front of video games and t.v.also gives our children a sense of adventure if they
are not health beneficial.Being out doors help's ourlive near woods,always making sure they never enter
children to become creative.It is also known thatextremely wooded areas alone.
children sleep better when they have playedChildren with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). This
outdoors.My own children spent hours outdoors, andstudy examined the relationship between children's
though they came in filthy ,ninety percent of the time,nature exposure through leisure activities and their
they were so exhausted they would fall asleep in their,attentional functioning using both within and
before bed bath.I did not mind the dirt on them nor didbetween-subjects comparisons. Parents were
my wife ,it meant to us, that our children had a greatsurveyed regarding their child's attentional functioning
time.after activities in several settings. Results indicate that
The benefits of outdoor play,can be found physicallychildren function better than usual after activities in
and mentally.Physically we know thegreen settings and that the "greener" a child's play
benefits,strength,endurance,and builds coordination.area, the less severe his or her attention deficit
Physical activity: mats, balls, riding toys, etc. Playingsymptoms. Thus, contact with nature may support
outside is a valuable activity for babies, toddlers, andattentional functioning in a population of children who
preschoolers because of the many ways it promotesdesperately need attentional support.
their development. Babies, toddlers and preschoolersBesides all this, playing outdoors reduces stress in kids.
are sensory-motor learners. Besides all the healthChildren express and work out emotional aspects of
benefits, playing outside stretches children's thinking andevery day experiences through unstructured
knowledge. Children need coordination, they need aplay.Children allowed to play freely with peers learn
chance to practice their basic physical skills. Outdoorskills for seeing things through another persons
play time also allows children to move freely and makeperspective, cooperating, sharing, and solving problems.
noise - forms of self-expression that are oftenChildren learn from motion.As adults we know that we
restricted indoors.learn through doing, it is the same for children.
Too often these days we are afraid to allow ourDeveloping perceptual abilities might suffer when so
children to play outside.There are so many dangersmany of their experiences are through
waiting around every corner,But i say to you,makemedia,computers,books,and homework.the sense of
groups,get a bunch of kids together and make gamessmell,touch,and taste are wonderful ways to learn.
with them ,or for them ,or just be close by to makeChildren who are more free to spend time out doors,
sure no injurries occur.I know as a working parent it isgain courage in moving through the larger world.They
very hard to make sure your kids get out side daily.Ifshould gain the ability to navigate their immediate
neighbors could come together and each take onesurroundings,in safety,thus layng the foundation,for the
day a week to encourage the children in yourcompetence to eventually lead their own lives.
neighborhood to play together.Each parent taking turnsThe world we live in today is increasingly complex,and
on the different days of the week,before long you willa little scary,but the fact remains,our children need,as
have very busy kids,not to mention free time for themuch as we did,The freedom to feel the wind on their
seperate parents,who's turn it is not.cheek ,the kiss of the sun,and engage in self-paced
Having kids go out and pick different leaves up to putplay.Ignoring the developmental functions of
in wax paper is a great way to get them outside andunstructured outdoor play denies children the
walking around.The children adore little art projectsopportunity to expand their imaginations beyond the
such as this.There are many benefits to outdoor play.Itconstraints of the classroom.