Many of us will still remember a childhood before technology. Our mom or dads sent us outside to play in the afternoon with a hat and a little sunscreen and said “Be home by dinner time.” We were left to wrangle the neighborhood kids to ride bikes, build forts, climb trees, or start a street game of kick the can. Much of this has been lost in recent years. Neighborhoods are less safe or we know don’t know our neighbors as well. Organized sports means friends are not home in the afternoons. And technology has many occupied at home. This change in lifestyle illustrates how we have to work harder to get outside!
The Scandanavians do this well with their open-air living norm. Where we lived in Europe, public transport options meant that you were often walking to and from train stations or metro stops, and frequently this passed near a park or playground. Being outside was more woven into daily life. We know that time outside nourishes us and our children. They benefit mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially from time spent playing outside!
Mental Benefits
- Improves focus and reduces symptoms of ADHA
- Reduces stress and depression
- Improves executive functioning
- Promotes the 3 Cs – curiosity, creativity critical thinking
Physical Benefits
- Increases exposure to vitamin D which helps with bone development, and immune support, improves our mood, and helps us sleep
- Increases the amount of daily time in physical activity
- Strengthens gross motor skills and develops muscular strength
- Improves the function of our immune system
- Stimulates the vestibular and proprioceptive senses
Emotional Benefits
- Improves emotional regulation
- Supports self-reflection and independent play
- Encourages risk-taking and builds resilience
Social Benefits
- Fosters cooperation and teamwork with peers
- Provides the opportunity to practice communication skills
- Unstructured play increases self-awareness
How can we support outdoor play at home?
Children are quite good actually at playing outdoors – they love it. Simply turning off the technology, helping them gear up for the weather, and being willing as parents is usually enough to help them enjoy their time outside.
Make it a routine!
- It is easier to get outside if you incorporate it into your daily and weekly routine.
- Play outside in the morning after breakfast or right after nap times
- Join a set playgroup that meets outside, like Tinkergarten
- Gather and collect the clothing that you need in your area for all seasons of play
Explore a New Area
- Try out a new park every week
- Explore a new walking trail or path in your town
Bring a toy
- The greatest toy of all time is a stick and some mud which can generate hours of outdoor time
- Bring a ball
- Create a scavenger hunt (or print one off the internet)
- Bikes, trikes, and scooters make time outside so fun
Make it social
- Bring friends. New habits are easier to create if you bring a friend
