Outdoor play is an essential part of early childhood education. It provides children with opportunities to explore, learn, and develop skills that are crucial for their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the benefits of outdoor play in early years and how to support it in your setting.

Physical Benefits-

Outdoor play helps children to develop their gross and fine motor skills, balance, coordination, and strength. It also promotes healthy habits such as exercise, fresh air, and exposure to natural light. Outdoor play can prevent obesity, diabetes, and other health problems that are linked to sedentary lifestyles. Children who play outdoors are more likely to be active and fit throughout their lives.

Social Benefits-

Outdoor play fosters social skills such as communication, cooperation, negotiation, and conflict resolution. It allows children to interact with peers and adults in different ways and situations. It also encourages diversity and inclusion, as children learn to respect and appreciate different cultures, abilities, and perspectives. Outdoor play can enhance children's self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.

Emotional Benefits-

Outdoor play supports children's emotional well-being by providing them with opportunities to express themselves, cope with stress, and regulate their emotions. It also stimulates their creativity, imagination, and curiosity. Outdoor play can foster a sense of wonder, joy, and adventure in children. It can also help them to develop a positive attitude towards learning and life.

Cognitive Benefits-

Outdoor play enhances children's cognitive development by exposing them to various stimuli, challenges, and problems. It also supports their language, literacy, numeracy, and scientific skills. Outdoor play can boost children's concentration, memory, and attention span. It can also foster their critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

How to Support Outdoor Play in Early Years-

As educators and parents, we can support outdoor play in early years by providing children with a safe, stimulating, and accessible outdoor environment. We can also provide them with a variety of materials, tools, and resources that encourage exploration, discovery, and creativity. We can also join them in their play and facilitate their learning by asking open-ended questions, making suggestions, and offering feedback. We can also respect their choices, interests, and preferences and allow them to take risks and make mistakes.


So what are you waiting for? Go outside and have some fun!