This recreation theory of play enables children to get ready to return to the important work of academic learning. These theories view outdoor play as an essential component to academic learning, not as an important activity in its own right. Everyone who works with young children in early childhood programs and schools knows how quickly bacteria and viruses spread in these environments. One way to reduce the spread of infection is through lots and lots of fresh air. Outdoor play enables the infectious agents to spread out and be dissipated; it also enables children to get fresh air and exercise and be less constrained than they are in the classroom Aronson, Outdoor play also enables children to enjoy the natural environment and learn to seek out exercise, fresh air, and activity.
There is something fundamentally healthy about using the outdoors. Thus outdoor play develops disposition for the outdoors, for physical activity, and for care of the environment.
Children who learn to enjoy the outdoors have a much higher likelihood of becoming adults who enjoy hiking, gardening, jogging, bicycling, mountain climbing, or other outdoor endeavors. This is critical as obesity becomes an ever-greater national concern and as we must all learn to care for and protect the environment. Using open space to fulfill basic childhood needs—jumping, running, climbing, swinging, racing, yelling, rolling, hiding, and making a big mess—is what childhood is all about!
For a variety of obvious reasons many of these things cannot occur indoors. Yet children must have these important experiences. Children need the opportunity to explore the unknown, the unpredictable, and the adventurous.
They also need to be able to wonder at nature, from the worm gliding through the newly turned dirt in the garden to the monarch butterfly emerging out of the chrysalis and gracefully fluttering away in the summer breeze. In general, physical play should be encouraged by climbing equipment and swings also in the toddler area , tricycle paths, and large areas of grass and hills on which preschoolers can run and crawl and infants and toddlers can lie, crawl, and roll.
Tricycle paths are used for Big Toys, tricycles, scooters, balls, jogging, and wagons. Climbing equipment for infants and toddlers should be very basic, including a crawling tunnel, small steps, and a slide. Because toddlers are very insecure on their feet, special attention should be paid to barriers—the railings and sides of raised equipment.
A variety of sloped areas help children learn to adjust their balance on differing surfaces. Although it is important to encourage specific motor skills such as fine and gross motor development, it is more important to support the development of the brain and nerve functions and growth. Thus rolling, crawling, running and climbing, and swinging on swings are all absolutely critical activities for young children.
Constructive play is encouraged by using sand and water play, providing a place for art, woodwork and blocks, wheeled toys, and lots of loose objects throughout the playground. Constructive play occurs in sandboxes, in sand and water areas, on flat surfaces, even on grass Wardle, Children need lots of opportunities outside to develop basic social skills and social competencies: pushing each other on the swing, pulling a wagon carrying another child, playing together in the sand, and so on.
Clearly, physical play, constructive play, and sociodramatic play also involve social play, especially if the equipment encourages the engagement of more than one child. Projects such as gardening, observing the weather in a separate science area, and having a picnic can be—and should be—social activities.
A good playground must have playhouses, forts, and other structures that children can change, adapt, reconfigure, impose their own meaning on, and use to expand their imagination. These structures encourage rich sociodramatic play; further, they are an ideal place for the playground to reflect the cultures of the children who use it.
Dramatic play requires children to impose details, information, and meaning into their play. It is richer and more beneficial because they do so and dramatic play structures should be very simple and basic in design and construction. On the other hand, a realistic replica of a convenience store can only be a , and a rocket can only be a rocket Wardle, a.
According to Sutterby and Frost FD , too many educators, politicians, and parents believe outdoor play takes time away from academic activities. As a result recess and physical education in many schools is limited or totally eliminated.
Further, programs that do advocate outdoor play often focus on learning cognitive and academic skills, rather than encouraging needed physical pursuits and social interactions. Outdoor play is the important part of child development. They grow both physically and mentally.
Thank you for sharing such wonderful information. Childhood development is very essential for children. This post describes tis important issue. Thank you fort eh post. I must this is one of the best blog which I have read till now. Agreed with what you said, outdoor play is an important part of childhood. It only develops their physical strength but also fosters their imagination skills. This some or the other way have a bad affect on overall growth of a child.
This blog is a must read for all parents, which clearly explains the importance of outdoor play for kids. Thanks for sharing this! Play never stop We are comprehensively manufacturer, suppliers and distributers of different wide range of indoor playarea. Your email address will not be published. Especially on days after a sleepless night or when your child is feeling grumpy or grizzly at home Harrison, Getting outside is also a good opportunity for parents to get some gentle exercise and meet friends.
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: You might find one of our Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.
Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby. Young Children 72 3 Harrison Y. Journal of sleep research 13 4 Littledyke M. Murray L. London; Dorling Kindersley. When it comes to content, our aim is simple: every parent should have access to information they can trust. All of our articles have been thoroughly researched and are based on the latest evidence from reputable and robust sources.
We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities. October 29, , No Comments. A skipping rope is such a versatile toy!
Check out these eight fun games your kids can play with one indoors or out. November 1, , No Comments. Movement enhances kids' learning. Find out more about how active play and physical activity can help boost their brain power!
April 9, , No Comments. May 1, , No Comments. Here's how to celebrate them on Mother's Day. July 3, , No Comments. First up in our Day Camp at Home series are animal-themed games and activities that'll keep you and your kids active, engaged, and having Back to previous. About the author Megan Zeni is a B. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Receive free tips and activities. Yes, please also send me the biannual AfL Pro Newsletter for educators, coaches and rec leaders.
What is physical literacy?
0コメント