In the day and age of computers, video games, hand-held games, television, and cellular phones, our children are spending more time indoors and less time is spent in the great outdoors.
It is important for parents, child care providers, babysitters, grandmothers/grandfathers and those of us who take care of children to remember to get them outside, especially in these warm summer months. Children are able to stretch muscles, breathe the fresh air, take in the sunshine, and enjoy the wide-open spaces along with all of the play equipment. Daily outdoor play (spring, summer, fall, and winter) can greatly benefit children’s physical, social, and cognitive development by providing opportunities to develop various skills. Some examples of the learning while playing outdoors include: using the skills of negotiation, cooperation, and compromise when building a snowman together or a city in the sand. Using physical skills and expressive creativity when building the most awesome snow fort or sand castle. Learning about science: Is snow really clean? Do caterpillars really turn into butterflies? Can ants really carry that much? Almost any activity that can go on indoors can also take place outdoors. The world outdoors can be a rich learning environment for children along with the benefits of physical activity and creativity.
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