Outdoor play 'essential for development'
22/07/2009 Outdoor play is essential for healthy physical and mental development in children, it has been claimed.
According to jaysdad.com blogger Joseph Jennings, childrens' social skills benefit "tremendously" from playing with other children outdoors.
He commented: "It improves their ability to interrelate with other children of his age. Needless to say, not only the physical, but also the psychological well being of children is nourished.
"Playing outdoors is unparalleled by any other single activity a child can participate in."
Mr Jennings suggested that the lack of outdoor activity among children is becoming a "most disturbing" trend, especially given that the alternatives tend to be television and computer games.
According to childhood development expert Dominic Donaldson, outdoor play can help children learn important social skills and behaviour.
He suggested that interacting with peers and using the brain for creative play allows children to "stamp their identity".
According to jaysdad.com blogger Joseph Jennings, childrens' social skills benefit "tremendously" from playing with other children outdoors.
He commented: "It improves their ability to interrelate with other children of his age. Needless to say, not only the physical, but also the psychological well being of children is nourished.
"Playing outdoors is unparalleled by any other single activity a child can participate in."
Mr Jennings suggested that the lack of outdoor activity among children is becoming a "most disturbing" trend, especially given that the alternatives tend to be television and computer games.
According to childhood development expert Dominic Donaldson, outdoor play can help children learn important social skills and behaviour.
He suggested that interacting with peers and using the brain for creative play allows children to "stamp their identity".
