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Did you know that the key to school readiness is outdoor play?

It's true!

Outdoor play helps children develop physical, cognitive, and social-emotional skills that are essential for success in school.

In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of outdoor play in early childhood development and how it helps prepare children for school.

We will also provide tips on how to promote more outdoor play, and what parents can do to help their children get the most out of it.

Why Outdoor Play is Important to Children's Development?

Outdoor play is a time for children to explore their natural environment.

They can run around, play ball, climb trees, build forts, make mud pies or investigate how to use natural materials in their play.

These outdoor activities allow children to use their imaginations and creativity while getting exercise and fresh air.

Outdoor play is also a great way for children to socialize and make friends and learn new skills.

Why Outdoor Play is Important for School Readiness?

• Boosts Imagination and Creativity

When children play outdoors, they have the opportunity to use their imaginations and be creative.

For example, they can pretend they are pirates and that the playground fort is their ship.

There is great storytelling involved as their play progresses.

Children use their imagination to plan their play.

For example, is the ship going to sink next or stop near an island?

Will the pirates jump on the floating planks to save their lives or go treasure hunting (dig in the sand)?

Dramatic play allows children to work on their problem-solving skills as they try to figure out how to make their play more realistic or exciting.

Why is Imagination and Creativity Important for School Readiness?

Imagination and creativity are important skills to have for problem-solving.

When children use their imaginations, they learn how to think flexibly and come up with new ideas.

When children have good imaginative skills, they become better at academic skills such as creative writing, storytelling, suggesting ideas for project work, asking questions from their perspective, and solving problems they encounter both in and out of school.

• Helps Children Socialize and Make Friends

One of the benefits of outdoor play is that it enables children to socialize and make friends.

Playing outdoors gives children the opportunity to share, take turns and cooperate.

In social play also learn how to handle emotions such as anger and frustration and practice impulse control.

For example, they practice verbal communication to negotiate and resolve conflicts instead of hitting.

Why are Social Skills Important for School Readiness?

These are important skills for school readiness because they help children learn how to make new friends (an important skill when new at school) and get along with others and work together.

The ability to use self-control in resolving disagreements is an essential skill for long-term success at school.

• Build Resilience

Outdoor play also helps children build resilience.

Risk-taking and trying new things, helps children learn how to cope with and overcome challenges.

They also develop a sense of self-efficacy – the belief that they can cope with whatever life throws at them.

For example, a child who climbs to the top of the monkey bars and then slides down has a sense of achievement.

A child who falls off and gets hurt learns how to pick themselves up and try again.

Why is Building Resilience Important for School Readiness?

Resilience is an important life skill that helps children cope with setbacks, adapt to change, and manage strong emotions.

It is a skill that will help them throughout their lives, especially when they encounter difficulties at school.

When children are resilient, they are more likely to have more self-confidence and persevere when faced with challenging tasks and are less likely to give up easily.

Here is a helpful article 17 Tips on How to Help Your Child Become More Resilient

• Aids In Emotional Development

The outdoor activity supports mental health.

It helps children cope with anxiety, stress, and frustration.

When children are outdoors, they feel free to express their emotions more openly.

They can explore a range of emotions. They may feel scared when climbing a tree or excited when going down the slide.

These experiences help children to understand and cope with their emotions.

They can shout, scream, laugh out loud and be physically active without feeling self-conscious.

Spending time with other children also helps them understand how others feel and helps them develop empathy for others.

Here is an article on How to Teach Empathy to Kids- With Everyday Opportunities and Pre-school Activities

Why is Emotional Development Important for School Readiness?

Children who have healthy emotional development are better able to cope with the challenges and stressors of school.

They can focus and concentrate on their learning, and they have better social skills.

Here is a helpful article on How to Teach Kids About Feelings and Emotions

• Improves Physical Health and Fitness

Outdoor play encourages increased levels of physical activity.

Preschoolers are often very active, and spending time outdoors allows them to release pent-up energy and stay physically fit.

Physical play can help to improve strength, coordination, and motor skills. For example, children who play in the sand can develop their fine motor skills as they scoop and pour.

Running, climbing, and playing games all require the use of different muscles, which helps to develop strength and coordination.

Why is Physical Health and Fitness Important for School Readiness?

Physical health and fitness are important for school readiness because they help children develop the strength and energy they need to learn and thrive in school.

Physically active children have been shown to have better focus, concentration, and attention spans in class, as well as improved academic performance.

Fresh air, sunlight, and soil promote a better immune system.

Regular physical activity can also help prevent childhood obesity and chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and asthma, which can also interfere with success in school.

By establishing a healthy routine of physical activity early on, children are more likely to carry these habits into adulthood, leading to a lifetime of good health.

• Use of All Five Senses

When children are in the outdoor environment, they can use all five of their senses.

They can feel the sun on their skin, smell the flowers, hear the birds singing, and taste fresh fruit from the garden.

They can also see a wide range of colors and shapes. This helps to stimulate their brains and develop their cognitive skills.

Why is Using All Five Senses Important for School Readiness?

Using all five senses helps children to develop their cognitive skills.

It also helps them to understand and remember information better. When children can use all of their senses, they are more likely to be engaged and interested in what they are learning.

In addition, using all five senses can help children to develop language skills.

By hearing, seeing, and touching different things, they are exposed to a wider range of words, which helps them to learn new vocabulary.

• Easier Communication With Others

When children are outdoors, they have more opportunities for social interactions.

They can practice using their communication skills by asking questions, giving directions, and talking about their experiences.

This is important for developing language skills and for building relationships with others.

Why is Easier Communication With Others Important for School Readiness?

Easier communication with others is important for school readiness because it helps children to develop language skills.

It also helps them to build relationships with others, which is important for social and emotional development.

When children can communicate effectively, they are more likely to succeed in academic learning.

They will be better able to understand instructions, participate in class discussions, and make friends.

• Foster Independence

Outdoor play can help children develop a sense of independence.

When children are outdoors, they are more likely to explore and experiment.

They can try new things without feeling self-conscious or anxious about making mistakes.

This experimentation helps them to understand what they are capable of and builds their self-esteem. With each new achievement, they feel a sense of mastery and control.

Why is Independence Important for School Readiness?

Independence is an important skill for school readiness because it helps children feel confident and capable in their ability to learn.

When children feel independent, they are more likely to take risks and try new things.

They are also more likely to persevere when faced with challenging tasks and are less likely to give up easily.

• Increases Learning About the World and Nature

When children are outdoors, they have the opportunity to explore the natural elements around them.

They can learn about different plants and animals, the seasons, weather, and other aspects of nature.

Outdoor play can also help children develop an appreciation for the environment and a sense of responsibility for taking care of it.

Why is Learning About the World and Nature Important for School Readiness?

Learning about the natural world is important for school readiness because it helps children develop a better understanding of their place in the world.

It also fosters a sense of wonder and curiosity, which are essential qualities for success in school.

Furthermore, environmental responsibility is an important life skill that will serve children well both in and out of the classroom.

• Spark Interest in New Topics and Ideas

When children are exposed to new things outdoors, they may develop an interest in that topic.

For example, if they find a caterpillar on a plant, they may want to learn more about them when they go back inside.

This can lead to hours of fun researching and learn about the topic as a family.

Why is Sparking Interest in New Topics and Ideas Important for School Readiness?

Sparking interest in new topics and ideas is important for school readiness because it helps children develop a love of learning.

When children are interested in what they are learning, they are more likely to pay attention and retain information.

Furthermore, this love of learning will continue with them throughout their school years and beyond.

• Makes Education More Fun

Let’s face it, preschool can be tough.

There are a lot of new things to learn and sometimes it can be overwhelming.

But when children are allowed to learn through fun outdoor activities, it can make the whole experience more fun.

• Why is Making Education More Fun Important for School Readiness?

Making education more fun is important for school readiness because it helps children to be more engaged in their learning.

When children are having fun, they are more likely to pay attention and retain what they are learning.

A positive attitude towards learning at an early age can lead to a lifetime of success in school and beyond.

What Type of Outdoor Play Should Be Encouraged?

Both structured and unstructured play should be encouraged to give children the most benefit.

Structured play is when there are rules and a specific goal that the children are trying to achieve, such as in a game of football.

Unstructured play is when there are no rules and the children can explore and play however they want.

Both kinds of play are important for pre-schoolers as they offer different benefits.

How Can Parents Promote More Outdoor Play, Even in a Small Backyard?

There are many ways that parents can promote outdoor play for preschoolers right in their backyard.

• Sandbox Play

Playing in the sandbox is a great way to promote more outdoor play.

It helps young children develop their skills in digging, scooping, and pouring.

They also learn how to share and take turns when playing with others.

• Water play

Water play is another great way for kids to spend more time playing outdoors.

It helps children cool off on hot days and is a great way to encourage active play.

Water activities can be as simple as filling up buckets of water and dumping them out or playing in a sprinkler.

For older children, you can set up a water table with different toys and tools.

• Bubble Pop

Bubble pop is a fun and exciting game that can be played outdoors with friends or family.

It helps develop teamwork and social skills, as well as hand-eye coordination.

Preschoolers will have a blast playing this game and learning essential skills at the same time!

• Chalk Art

Chalk art is a great way to promote more outdoor play and creativity.

Children can use chalk to draw pictures, write words, or make patterns on the sidewalk.

• Trampoline

Trampolines provide a great opportunity for children to get more outdoor play.

When used outdoors, the trampoline promotes physical activity and helps improve overall fitness.

In addition, trampolines can help develop balance, coordination, and strength from a young age.

• Climbing Dome

Climbing equipment promotes more outdoor play and helps develop gross motor skills, sensory skills, and social skills in preschoolers.

Climbing the dome is a great way for children to explore their environment and learn new things.

They can also build confidence as they conquer new challenges.

• Obstacle Course

Obstacle courses are a fun way to promote more outdoor play.

They can be set up in any backyard, park, or playground.

Obstacle courses develop skills like balance, coordination, and agility in preschoolers.

They also promote teamwork and problem-solving.

Playing on an obstacle course is a great way for kids to get exercise and have fun at the same time.

• Outdoor Play Program

Another way is to enroll children in an outdoor play program at a local park or community center.

Structured activities like children's sports help promote healthy lifestyles for families with small or no backyard.

Outdoor games help children remain active.

• Unstructured Outdoor Play

Parents can promote outdoor play by simply encouraging children to spend more time in unstructured play outside.

This can be done by setting aside some time each day for outdoor play, or by taking family walks or hikes on the weekends.

Conclusion

Outdoor play is very important for child development.

Outdoor learning promotes children’s physical skills, social and emotional skills, and brain development.

It helps them learn how to interact with others, communicate their feelings, and think creatively.

Playing outdoors also allows children to explore their natural world and develop a sense of wonder about the world around them.

Parents can encourage more outdoor play by providing opportunities for unstructured free play and setting an example for themselves.

What type of outdoor play do your kids enjoy most?

I would love to hear from you in the comments below.