Outdoor play activities 'support all aspects of child development'
24/06/2010 Outdoor play activities help support all three important aspects of child development, it has been suggested.
According to doosspace.com, outdoor play activities help enhance children's cognitive, emotional and physical development in a way that playing indoors doesn't.
The blog explained that items of outdoor play equipment provide kids with opportunities for "social discussion, problem solving and increased communication".
In addition to this, outdoor play activities aid physical development by increasing motor skills and improving overall fitness levels.
"Being outdoors allows children to explore and develop a relationship with the natural environment, gain a sense of freedom and self exploration, space to imagine and think, and to learn the skills required to self manage risk," the blog added.
Allowing children to experience appropriate risks is an important aspect of outdoor play activities, a report by the Children's Commissioner and the Scottish Institute for Residential Childcare suggested earlier this month.
The report said that the current safety culture was leading to a nation of "cotton wool kids".
According to doosspace.com, outdoor play activities help enhance children's cognitive, emotional and physical development in a way that playing indoors doesn't.
The blog explained that items of outdoor play equipment provide kids with opportunities for "social discussion, problem solving and increased communication".
In addition to this, outdoor play activities aid physical development by increasing motor skills and improving overall fitness levels.
"Being outdoors allows children to explore and develop a relationship with the natural environment, gain a sense of freedom and self exploration, space to imagine and think, and to learn the skills required to self manage risk," the blog added.
Allowing children to experience appropriate risks is an important aspect of outdoor play activities, a report by the Children's Commissioner and the Scottish Institute for Residential Childcare suggested earlier this month.
The report said that the current safety culture was leading to a nation of "cotton wool kids".
