Did you know that half of children surveyed in 2008 could not tell the difference between a wasp and a bee? According to the National Trust, ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ is common in today’s device-dependent age and it’s clear that children aren’t playing outside as much as they should.
But outdoor play isn’t just about identifying different insects; it’s also vital for your child’s health, education and mental ability. So, to promote our belief in outdoor play and activities, we’ve compiled a list of benefits for your child.
1. Health and wellbeing
Children above the age of one require 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day. The biggest source of vitamin D during March and September can be found outside. This means that while playing outdoors, your child can absorb all the nutrients they need from direct sunlight.
Additionally, outdoor play is proven to improve mental health and encourage children to exercise more freely in a non-restrictive way.
2. Creativity and mental stimulation
Playing outside, or taking a walk in nature, can help your child:
- Be more creative. Being in the outdoors allows your child to use their imagination more freely. This can help with creative activities and brainstorming ideas.
- Stay focused. Children diagnosed with ADHD exert less of their symptoms while outside, according to a recent study. This suggests that outdoor play can boost focus and increase attention.
- Be happier. Eighty percent of people in the UK who stated they were happy said they had a strong connection with the outdoors.
3. Education in nature
Allowing your child to explore the outdoors can help them engage with the environment and have a better understanding of our country’s beautiful wildlife. After all, there really is no better place to learn about nature than in nature.
What’s more, children who learn better through active, or kinetic, movement can benefit from being taught their everyday subjects in open spaces. (Providing the weather is suitable, of course!)
4. Outdoor play is fun!
At the end of the day, your child’s primary concern is having as much fun as possible. Being cooped up inside all day doesn’t provide your child with fresh air, extensive exercise or the freedom to socialise and interact with nature.
That’s why we believe in incorporating outdoor play, activities and education into our nursery curriculum. In fact, all of our nurseries have a large garden area for the children to play out in safely so they can explore the world and wildlife around them. Why not contact us to find out more about our outside areas today?
