Recently I came across this helpful infographic:
The benefits of outdoor play for young children are well recorded. Moreover, children are known to benefit holistically from time spent outdoors. This means all aspects of their development are positively impacted: mentally, cognitively, physically, socially and even spiritually. Benefits include:
- greater levels of happiness
- lower levels of anxiety, stress and depression
- increased empathy
- better social skills and ability to make friends
- greater ability to focus and pay attention
- increased school success
- better problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- heightened creativity
- lower rates of obesity and other health issues related to sitting too much
- learning to manage risks and decision-making skills
- developing judgement and understanding one's own limits
- greater ability to be flexible and adapt to new situations
- improved self-confidence and self-esteem
- strong sense of place, as a result of connecting to one's neighbourhood, which contributes to a stronger sense of identity and belonging
- increase in stewardship behaviours - desire to protect nature and care for the Earth
- developing a sense of awe and wonder, and appreciation of something larger than yourself
We have been doing Nature School for less than two months. While we are outdoors, many of the above are evident in the way children interact with their surroundings, speak to each other, play together, use their bodies and make decisions. Their experiences transfer into the classroom in the form of asking questions, observing, researching and working together. As our year goes on, we can safely assume these benefits will translate into long-lasting positive impacts.
A recent article in a TIME Magazine special issue about childhood said, “Free play isn’t just something children like to do—it’s something they need to do...More than anything else, play teaches children how to work together and, at the same time, how to be alone. It teaches them how to be human.” Read the full article here: http://time.com/4928925/secret-power-play/
A recent article in a TIME Magazine special issue about childhood said, “Free play isn’t just something children like to do—it’s something they need to do...More than anything else, play teaches children how to work together and, at the same time, how to be alone. It teaches them how to be human.” Read the full article here: http://time.com/4928925/secret-power-play/
If you are interested to read more, here is another (short) article about 3 important skills children learn through outdoor play: https://blogs.psychcentral.com/play/2017/09/3-skills-children-learn-when-exposed-to-outdoor-play/
And if you are REALLY interested in reading more, I strongly recommend the fascinating book 'Last Child in the Woods' by Richard Louv. He coined the term "nature-deficit disorder" which describes children's disconnection from nature and how detrimental this is for children and for our communities as a whole.
It is important for us as adults to keep in mind that what looks like "just playing", whether it is at home, at the park, at recess or at Nature School, is crucial to a child's healthy development - and is teaching them lifelong skills along the way.