Outdoor play is an important part of your child’s learning, helping them discover the natural environment and build skills that will help them later in life.
At childcare, your child will take part in many outdoor play programs and activities designed to promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. These programs can also be beneficial to your child’s overall health and well-being.
Here are 5 types of outdoor play at childcare
1. Running and playing
Outdoors, there is plenty of room for your child to run and play, with these activities supporting your child’s physical health and development.
By participating in active play and sports outdoors, your child can enhance their gross motor skills and meet daily exercise targets in support of healthy lifestyle. Outdoor games also provide your child with opportunities to practise valuable skills, such as teamwork and collaboration.
2. Climbing and exploring
At childcare, your child will be encouraged to participate in climbing and exploring activities that help them learn more about the world around them.
With the support and guidance of an educator, your child can develop gross motor skills by climbing trees and play equipment. They can learn how to navigate their space and discover the important of assessing risk. These skills can help your child later on in life, at school and beyond.
3. Discovering and learning
Outdoor play is also a chance for your child to discover and learn about the natural environment and important sustainability concepts.
At childcare, your child may be invited to take part in nature-based programs such as nature walks and gardening activities. Your child will learn how to identify colours and sounds in the natural world and could be introduced to sustainable programs that help them look after the environment.
4. Building and creating
Outside, your child can build and create, using natural materials to help them. This can help them develop artistic and creative skills.
At childcare, your child will have access to great outdoor resources that will enable them to use their imagination to influence their environment. By participating and building and creative tasks, your child will learn physical and cognitive skills to support their ongoing learning.
5. Analysing and problem-solving
One of the most important lessons your child will learn at childcare is how to think analytically and solve problems when necessary.
In a childcare setting, your child will face unique challenges and opportunities, where they will be able to use their critical thinking skills to assess risk, evaluate situations, and solve problems. By developing these skills early on in life, your child will be provided with the tools they’ll need to succeed in school and, later, work, environments. They’ll also learn how to resolve conflicts and identify solutions in real-world contexts.
Looking for an early learning centre for your child? MyXplor offers location-specific childcare listings to help you find great childcare centres near you. For example, a parent based in Craigieburn might visit the Space Childcare Craigieburn listing to find local childcare providers.
6. Benefits of Outdoor Play for Children
If you are looking for an activity that will enable your children to be creative and express themselves, consider arranging outdoor play sessions. You can place them on the playground in your home or in your neighborhood. According to the forecast, the schedule encourages children to be flexible and try new things. You can schedule a weekend outing or meet at a park or playground each day. You can also plan a day that includes many outdoor activities, such as swimming, catching or biking.
There are a number of benefits of outdoor play for children. A recent study found that children with attention deficit disorder experienced less symptoms in a greener environment. More trees and grass mean more opportunities for children to explore nature. It is a natural place to develop their physical, mental, and social skills. Also, a child’s immune system is boosted when they play outside. The benefits of outdoor play go far beyond the obvious physical activity.
Children benefit from being outdoors. They are more likely to be physically fit and develop logical and practical thinking. By playing outside, kids can learn to question, explore, and discover, and plant the seed for an expanded world. Ultimately, this kind of curious and inquisitive mind is the foundation for the leaders of tomorrow.