The Power and Benefits of Outdoor Play and Exploration

To play, or not to play, that is the question. Actually, it’s not really a question. Scientists, teachers, and parents overwhelmingly see play’s benefits for children.

Open-ended exploration in the great outdoors has long been the hallmark of childhood, though research shows this steadily slipping away.

The American Academy of Pediatrics continues to tell families to aim for 60 minutes of outdoor play each day. However, 30% of American kindergarteners don’t have recess, and 51% of children don’t play outdoors with their families once a day.

Where’s the disconnect? It’s a multifaceted issue. In his bestselling book, Richard Louv blames our children’s “nature-deficit disorder” on readily available technology, the lack of green spaces in modern-day urban planning, and parental perception of the dangers lurking outside. While some of these things are actual issues in areas with prominent violent crime or the concrete jungles of big cities, that doesn’t eliminate the real effects that the lack of outdoor playtime has on children. 

The implications of outdoor play for children’s health, development, and achievement are too obvious to ignore.

 

Outdoor Play’s Many Health and Developmental Benefits

Being in nature has ample benefits for everyone’s bodies and minds. Scientists have long noted the link between sunshine and Vitamin D production, but also note the outdoors’ positive effects on our mental health, circadian rhythms, cardiovascular health, and muscle and bone strength. Research shows that outdoor experiences may even prevent myopia, or nearsightedness, offsetting some of the adverse effects of consistently looking at screens in early childhood. 

 

#1 Promotes Sensory Integration & Spatial Awareness

For children, outdoor play promotes sensory integration, spatial awareness, and gross motor skills. Outdoor environments naturally encourage exploration of different textures, sights, sounds, and smells. Navigating uneven terrain and accessing different planes of play spaces enable children to develop their sense of balance and coordination. And, in a country where 1 in 5 children are considered obese, outdoor play is also essential for maintaining a healthy weight. 

 

#2 Builds Child’s Confidence

Outdoor play also contributes to young children’s social-emotional development in myriad ways. The naturally-occurring risks in outdoor play – like jumping from a tree stump or judging heights and distances when climbing on a jungle gym – build a child’s sense of confidence and competence. Furthermore, taking these risks within limits builds essential skills children need to judge their own safety as they grow. 

 

#3 Promotes Communication Skills

As children play together outdoors, and especially when their play is imaginative and open-ended, they have to develop communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. While these skills may seem trivial when applied to an outdoor game of “family” or tag, children are creating the foundations they need to later function as community members and develop healthy relationships.

 

#4 Develops Child’s Self-Control

Even rough-and-tumble play has its merits. While this is often the type of play most restricted by adults, it’s one of the most beneficial as children learn to test their limits, recognize their strengths, and communicate about important topics like comfort, consent, and respect. Obviously, safety is paramount, but it may be worth talking with your team and parents about ways to allow this within reasonable limits.

 

Benefits for Learning and Academic Achievement 

American schools have increasingly limited recess in order to free up more time in the school day for academic learning. However, children have a biological need to move, and less time for outdoor, physical activity is likely counterproductive to schools’ academic goals. 

#1 Improves Executive Function Skills

Many teachers report that their students seem less able to focus in class than in years past. While this may be due to the effects of increased screen time in children’s lives, increased academic demands and decreased physical activity during the school day are also likely culprits. 

Luckily, studies show that when children play outdoors before their academic learning time, they show improved executive functioning and are better able to remain attentive and demonstrate self-control in the classroom. Improved impulse control and more on-task behavior have a ripple effect on other students’ ability to learn in the classroom as well! 


#2 Increases Vocabulary and Background Knowledge

Nature is an ever-changing teacher, and regular time outside introduces children to a constant stream of new words and experiences. Exploring outdoors, talking with teachers and peers about what they see, and engaging in natural inquiry bolsters student vocabulary and provides them with new background knowledge to draw from. These two factors are widely understood to be linked to improved reading comprehension.


Encouraging Outdoor Play and Learning

Take steps to increase the time students spend outdoors, whether this looks as simple as holding morning storytime in the school garden, or as complex as a class-wide project classifying all of the bugs on the playground.

Teachers can support children’s development in these areas by taking nature walks and “noticing” and “wondering” about the things they see (i.e., “I noticed that some leaves are green and some are yellow. I wonder why that is?”).

They can also select books related to seasons, weather patterns, and local animals that can inspire curiosity and engage children in outdoor play. Responding to children’s authentic inquiries about the natural world, and encouraging their exploration also go a long way to supporting their learning outdoors. 

The natural world draws us to it for a reason–children learn and grow best when they have ample time to explore it!

 

Research on Outdoor Play

Nature play: A prescription for healthier children, https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/nature-play-prescription-healthier-children

The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children, https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/3/e20182058/38649/The-Power-of-Play-A-Pediatric-Role-in-Enhancing


Education Resources on Outdoor Play

Eliminate Barriers to Risk Taking in Outdoor Play, https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/spring2023/risk-taking-outdoor-play

Rainy Day, Let’s Play! Outdoor Learning For All, https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/vop/dec2022/outdoor-learning-for-all

North American Association for Environmental Education,  https://naturalstart.org/

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+ Explore School Signals Outdoor Education Activities for ideas how to integrate more educational outdoor time for students.

Christina Cunningham

Explore, Learn, and Grow: Outdoor Adventures for Pre-K to 6th Grade

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