Most little ones love playing outdoors which is great because it is fantastic for their health.
It might feel natural to want to control everything to keep your little ones safe during outdoor play, but a little bit of unpredictability can be a good thing. The outdoors can provide many stimulating activities that are good for development and teach children to cope with challenges such as bad weather or walking through mud. Gently encouraging them to walk, run or climb that little bit more helps encourage mental strength.
We all know that fresh air is good for you and a few minutes of active play outside supports children’s co-ordination, balance and stamina as well as being really good fun. Playing team games and sports as children grow. These are ideal for learning to take turns, be a good winner or a gracious loser, and get into the team spirit by co-operating with others.
Little ones also shout and make noise! Providing this freedom that can be restricted during indoor play can be great for a child’s self-expression and emotional health.
Children are natural investigators and love to explore and interacting with natural environments allows them to learn by experimenting. Nature presents many chances for you to role model, teach and share. Even the process of getting ready to go outdoors or walking to the park are opportunities to interact with your little one.
Here are some suggestions to get children out in nature:
- Set a challenge to collect things in nature, such as leaves, sticks or stones
- Run to reach the nearest tree, post box or bench
- Find or spot things as you walk (e.g. objects beginning with a certain letter)
