This time of year, outdoor play is sunnier and funner than ever!
With benefits galore, outdoor time is an important part of programming year-round at our Vancouver daycares.
Why is outdoor play so crucial for children’s development? In this blog, we’ll explore five of the incredible benefits children receive from outdoor play.
1. Increases children’s imagination.
Fun fact: spending time outdoors actually encourages children’s imaginations! As they explore their surroundings in an unstructured style of play, children can let their imaginations run wild!
During outdoor time, kids interact meaningfully with both the outdoors and each other. In doing so, they invent new games to play, think freely, imagine different scenarios to roleplay in, and more. All of this encourages children to increase their imagination and creativity, skills that can last a lifetime. At our toddler and infant daycares, prioritizing outdoor time has big returns on children’s imagination and creative thinking.
2. Improves social skills.
Being outdoors also helps children to become more social. Studies show that during outdoor play, children are more likely to interact harmoniously, practise their language skills, and build bonds and friendships together.
Outdoor time also leads to more problem-solving, encouragement, turn-taking, and safe risk-taking as a peer group. As children play together outside, they not only have fun, but also learn more about themselves and the others around them. They form stronger social and emotional skills that last long after outdoor playtime is over. Because of this, finding a daycare near you that regularly schedules outdoor time — ideally daily — is crucial for early social development.
3. Increases physical activity.
Another proven benefit of outdoor play is physical activity. Studies show that toddlers and preschoolers should get about 3 hours of physical activity each day. When outside, children naturally want to run, jump, and explore, getting in a healthy amount of their daily movement.
Research has found that children who spend more time outside get more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than children who don’t. This activity means better cardiovascular and overall physical health. Outdoor play, like the outdoor time we incorporate at our Vancouver child care centres, undoubtedly improves children’s physical health.
4. Improves well-being and mental health.
Outdoor time is an essential part of our Vancouver preschool and daycare programming because, in addition to physical health, outdoor play also improves mental health. More time spent outdoors equals lower stress levels and stronger emotional resilience, as well as improved focus.
Having a ‘recess’ or scheduled outdoor time means children can explore their imaginative, creative selves in a safe environment, break from more rigorous learning, and, as a result, return to the classroom more energized, focused, and ready to absorb knowledge. This outdoor play also lowers kids’ stress levels by allowing them to feel soothed by nature and enjoy a breath of fresh air. In our Vancouver daycare programs, our children love their outdoor free time so much — we can tell by their smiling faces!
5. Teaches children about nature and encourages them to appreciate it.
As children explore outside, they can easily learn more about the natural world simply by being in it. Being surrounded by trees, flowers, and plants, and soaking in the sun, playing with fall leaves, or marching along in the snow encourages children to be curious about nature, ask questions, and learn more by interacting with the environment first-hand.
This healthy curiosity and hands-on learning also enable children to grow a sincere appreciation for nature and the world around them.
Outdoor play is an important part of our programming at our Vancouver child care centres and daycares near you. Improved imagination, social skills, physical health, mental health, and appreciation for nature are all exceptional benefits of outdoor play that are proven and undeniable. Remember that the next time you’re outside with the kids!
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Rainforest Learning Centre Vancouver child care centres are located in North Vancouver, Langley and Coquitlam and serve the surrounding areas of Upper Lonsdale, Central Lonsdale, Metro Vancouver, Burnaby, North Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey and White Rock. We offer Vancouver group daycare, all-day preschool for ages 2 1/2 to 5, infant and toddler care for ages 1 to 3, half-day preschool for ages 3 to 5, and before- and after-school care for ages 5 to 12. Learn more here.