Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Outdoor Play

Fall is upon us. The air is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. For many of us Minnesotans, we see these as the early warning signs of  the long, cold winter ahead. The cooler temperatures can often lead us to avoid getting outside with our kids. We all know it is a lot more work to get a little one out the door when you have to deal with jackets and maybe even hats and mittens and not just shoes! My challenge to you is this; find some time for outdoor adventures with your child several times a week.

Here are five reasons why you should head outside with your kids:

  • Physical Health-Research shows that being outdoors causes children's heart rates to slow, blood pressure to drop and higher levels of relaxation. Time spent playing outside also gives kids a dose of vitamin D through exposure to sunlight which is important to their growth and healthy immune systems. Outdoor play also tends to be active, physical play that encourages gross motor development.
  • Imagination/Play-Outdoor environments present kids with a vast array of materials, from sticks to rocks to flowers to leaves, for children to explore. This variety allows children to engage in a wide range of open-ended play activities. The stick your preschooler finds might be a magic wand one minute and a sword the next! The outdoor environment is continuously changing based on the seasons, daily weather, etc. These change allow our kids to explore in new ways each time they interact with nature, encouraging creativity, imagination and learning. 
  • Sleep-That's right SLEEP! Studies have shown that more outdoor playtime leads to better sleep. Kids who play outside more are more likely to sleep through the night. Sunlight helps regulate our sleep patterns. Plus the physical activity kids engage in outside leads kids to fall asleep faster and get better sleep.
  • How to handle risk-The variety and changeability of the outdoors makes a perfect environment for children to explore and learn how to deal with risky situations and set personal limits. This might include climbing rocks or trees, building a fort, running, jumping, using tools or even exploring at a playground. Kids learn how to overcome challenges and deal with unpredictable events on their own when allowed to take reasonable risks. Kids who are allowed to explore in "dangerous" situations learn how to keep themselves safe. I get it. This can be a tough one for parents. We all worry about our kids getting hurt. Just remember, I said reasonable risk. Be close by and watch your child for cues that they may be getting in over their heads. Only then, should you step in with encouragement and support. 
  • Socialization-Anyone who has ever taken a preschool-aged child to the park can knows that usually the child makes at least one new friend each time. This is because at this age kids' friends tend to be other children who are nearby. Outdoor environments, especially parks, tend to provide kids with other kids to play with. Kids have the opportunity to learn from one another. Kids also can also practice being both a leader and a follower, cooperation skills and how to deal with conflict. While indoor play with other children allows kids to practice these same skills, the openness and space provided in the outdoors allows kids to interact with one another more gradually. The larger physical space allows them to choose when to interact by giving each child more physical space. 
So now that we cover why we should head outside with, it is time to think about the how and the what. Going to your local park/playground is a great option for getting outside but it is only one. Check out one of the many Nature Centers and State  or Washington County parks. Click on any of the links below for more ideas on how to get out and enjoy nature with your child. 
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