Bye Bye Winter: The Role of Outdoor Play in Early Childhood Development - post

As child care providers, you understand the profound impact that early experiences have on children's #growth-and #development. While structured indoor activities undoubtedly hold their place in fostering learning and social skills, the importance of outdoor play cannot be overstated. In a world where screens often dominate children's attention, it's crucial to prioritize #outdoor-playtime, not just as a recreational activity but as an essential component of their holistic development.

Outdoor play offers a myriad of benefits that contribute to children's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. From enhancing #gross-motor-skills to fostering creativity and imagination, the opportunities for learning and growth in outdoor environments are boundless.

Outdoor Play Benefits

• Physical Development:

Outdoor play provides children with the space and #freedom to engage in physical activities that promote the development of their gross motor skills. Running, jumping, climbing, and playing games like tag or catch not only strengthen their muscles but also improve coordination, balance, and spatial awareness. Moreover, exposure to natural elements such as sunlight and fresh air contributes to overall #health-and well-being, bolstering immune systems and reducing the risk of vitamin D deficiency.

• Cognitive Development:

The outdoor environment stimulates children's senses and curiosity, offering a rich tapestry of sights, sounds, textures, and smells to explore. Nature serves as a natural #classroom, where children can engage in hands-on learning experiences that ignite their curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world around them. Whether observing insects in a garden, identifying different plant species, or experimenting with natural materials, outdoor play fosters cognitive development by encouraging inquiry, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

• Social and Emotional Development:

Outdoor play provides valuable opportunities for children to interact with their peers, developing essential social skills such as cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution. Collaborative activities like building forts, playing team sports, or engaging in imaginative play scenarios encourage children to negotiate roles, share resources, and work towards common goals. Furthermore, spending time in nature has been linked to reduced #stress levels and improved mood, promoting emotional resilience and well-being in children.

ChildCareEd: Empowering Providers with Engaging Outdoor Activities

Child care providers play a pivotal role in facilitating meaningful outdoor experiences for children in their care. With the right resources and training, providers can create enriching outdoor environments that promote learning, creativity, and exploration.

ChildCareEd offers a range of training courses specifically designed to help providers develop engaging and #developmentally appropriate outdoor activities for children. These courses cover topics such as nature-based learning, outdoor classroom design, risk management, and curriculum development, equipping providers with the knowledge and skills needed to create dynamic outdoor play spaces.

• FREE Training!! Creating the Natural Outdoor Classroom

Even from an early age, children love to be around and connect with nature! As our world gets smaller, it is especially important to encourage this love of the #outdoors and bring learning outside! We have created this course to help childcare providers create a natural outdoor environment that includes different colors, sounds, textures, and scents. We will also show you what children might discover, learn, and experience in a natural play environment.

• Success in Safety for Babies

Infants and #toddlers rely on the adults in their lives to keep them #healthy and #safe. In this three-hour training course, infant and toddler #teachers will identify potential hazards within both the indoor and outdoor #classroom-environment. Teachers will also learn #safe- #sleep practices to ensure all children in their care are safe.

• DAP for Preschool

One of the first steps in creating appropriate environments for #preschoolers is to understand their development. You as the teacher or provider should have knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and teaching strategies. We developed this course for #teachers and providers to understand preschool development and how to apply the components of developmentally appropriate practice in the preschool setting.

• Playing with a Purpose: Infant/Toddler Lesson Planning

Creating age-appropriate lessons and activities for infants and toddlers may seem like a challenging task, but it doesn’t have to be! We created this class to help childcare providers identify the components of an infant/toddler lesson plan and how to plan appropriate activities for children from birth through age three.

Through ChildCareEd's trainings, providers can learn how to integrate nature-based activities into their daily routines, incorporating elements such as nature walks, gardening, outdoor art projects, and #sensory exploration. By harnessing the inherent curiosity and wonder of the natural world, providers can spark children's interest and enthusiasm for outdoor play, laying the foundation for a lifelong connection to nature.

Encouraging Outdoor Exploration:

As child care providers, you have the power to inspire a love for the outdoors in the children you serve. Encourage families to prioritize outdoor playtime at #home and share ideas for simple, nature-based activities they can enjoy together. Whether it's going on a nature scavenger hunt, building a backyard obstacle course, or planting a garden, there are countless ways to connect with nature and foster a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around us.

Additionally, create opportunities for children to share their favorite outdoor activities and experiences with their peers. Facilitate group discussions, storytelling sessions, or show-and-tell opportunities where children can #express their creativity and imagination inspired by nature.

By prioritizing outdoor play and incorporating nature-based activities into your child care program, you can create a rich and stimulating environment that supports children's holistic development. Together, let's empower the next generation to explore, discover, and thrive in the great outdoors.