Social skills 'learned through outdoor play'
16/07/2009 Outdoor play can help children learn important social skills and behaviours that stay with them into adulthood, it has been claimed.
According to childhood development expert Dominic Donaldson, interacting with peers and using the brain for creative play allows children to "stamp their identity".
Not only this, but it helps them understand their existence in a greater context, he claimed.
Mr Donaldson noted: "Life lessons in cause and effect can be learned in a safe environment and games that involve role play can enforce a sense of belonging or create social cohesion."
He claimed there is a wide variety of outdoor play equipment to choose from as parents attempt to create a safe environment for their children to play in.
Depending on the age of the children, he said equipment with tunnels and holes, themes for imaginative play and adventure elements may be appropriate.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Play England claimed adults need to make time and space for children to play freely.
According to childhood development expert Dominic Donaldson, interacting with peers and using the brain for creative play allows children to "stamp their identity".
Not only this, but it helps them understand their existence in a greater context, he claimed.
Mr Donaldson noted: "Life lessons in cause and effect can be learned in a safe environment and games that involve role play can enforce a sense of belonging or create social cohesion."
He claimed there is a wide variety of outdoor play equipment to choose from as parents attempt to create a safe environment for their children to play in.
Depending on the age of the children, he said equipment with tunnels and holes, themes for imaginative play and adventure elements may be appropriate.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Play England claimed adults need to make time and space for children to play freely.
