Benefits of Outdoor Play
Current scientific, medical and educational research builds a strong case for the importance of unstructured free play in the out-of-doors for all age groups, and especially young children.
While concerned about the “obesity epidemic” in young children, researchers say that the physical health benefits from outdoor play – strength, balance, coordination, reduced Vitamin D deficiency - are only one aspect of the overall benefits.
Cognitive benefits from play in nature include creativity, problem-solving, focus and self-discipline.
Social benefits include cooperation, flexibility, and self-awareness.
Emotional benefits include stress reduction, reduced aggression and increased happiness.
Children will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play in the out-of-doors.
Burdette, Hillary L., M.D., M.S.; and Robert C. Whitaker, M.D, M.P.H. “Resurrecting Free Play in Young Children: Looking Beyond Fitness and Fatness to Attention, Affiliation and Affect.” © 2005 American Medical Association. http://www.cnaturenet.org/02_rsrch_studies/PDFs/Burdette_LookingBeyond.pdf (Volume 1)
For more research articles on children and outdoor play, please see www.childrenandnature.org
While concerned about the “obesity epidemic” in young children, researchers say that the physical health benefits from outdoor play – strength, balance, coordination, reduced Vitamin D deficiency - are only one aspect of the overall benefits.
Cognitive benefits from play in nature include creativity, problem-solving, focus and self-discipline.
Social benefits include cooperation, flexibility, and self-awareness.
Emotional benefits include stress reduction, reduced aggression and increased happiness.
Children will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play in the out-of-doors.
Burdette, Hillary L., M.D., M.S.; and Robert C. Whitaker, M.D, M.P.H. “Resurrecting Free Play in Young Children: Looking Beyond Fitness and Fatness to Attention, Affiliation and Affect.” © 2005 American Medical Association. http://www.cnaturenet.org/02_rsrch_studies/PDFs/Burdette_LookingBeyond.pdf (Volume 1)
For more research articles on children and outdoor play, please see www.childrenandnature.org