Outdoor free play
Outdoor play is vital for children. It gives them the opportunity to run, jump, climb, balance, explore, get fresh air, exercise, learn about nature, experiment, get creative and use their imagination. I feel this is a recipe for happy healthy children.
There are times when it can be challenging to get children outside. There are often too many enticing things (in their eyes) keeping them indoors, such as the TV, technology, toys, dry and warmth. When times are challenging, I often go outside with my children to play. However, I believe it is also important for children to be allowed outdoor free play, without constant adult supervision. I find my children are more likely to play nicely using their imaginations when they think they are not being observed. Obviously, the garden needs to be safe enough for children to be left in and depending on age checked on at intervals etc.
Outdoor free play gives children a greater chance to explore their environment and learn through experimentation freely. They can get creative with their play, pretend and discover things for themselves, which I believe is the best and most effective way to learn.
As an example, last weekend, my children enjoyed some free play in the garden. First they climbed on the climbing frame calling and chatting to each other, they swung from it, they balanced on it, they tested their own limitations. Next, they swung on the swing, pushing each other (that’s a great benefit of having twins, they help each other). After that, they collected some pots and sat down together collecting leaves, mud, worms and goodness knows what else to make concoctions, mixing them up, experimenting with what they could concoct. This naturally progressed to some pretend play of mummy’s and daddy’s in their playhouse, cooking and feeding the baby their concoction! I have to admit, I absolutely love earwigging into their pretend play situations, its fascinating hearing the things they come out with and it usually makes me smile! They also had races on their scooters and kicked a ball about a bit.
This outdoor free play session, was fantastic. They learnt many gross motor skills, they learnt about socialising, communicating, sharing, science, nature, creativity and how to use their own imagination. It is amazing how much learning can take place when you let your children free! Sometimes as parents, the best thing we can do for our children…..is let kids be kids!
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I love listening in on Boo’s imaginary play, so many ideas! In fact, I’ve literally just been informed that the doll she’s just tucked up in bed has chicken pox and is itchy! And yes, outside is wonderful – my two are always desperate to get into the garden
Haha! Love it, they come out with such wonderful things
Allowing children to explore their creative side and wonderful imaginations while having such fun in nature’s playground is a great learning experience for them. Here’s to many more sunny days and spending time outdoors having fun – just what children should be doing! Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
I agree. Outdoor play enriches a child & us adults too =)
#countrykids
Totally
I agree but I also have a 14ft trampoline to help inspire them to burn some of their energy off whilst they do so.
Ooh yes, a trampoline would be fab!
It’s brilliant letting kids just have fun in the garden.Sometimes nothing better than a day out in one’s own garden! #countrykids
Gardens are often the best places for fun
I couldn’t agree more, the kids get so much from playing outside in the garden
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Absolutely! There’s nothing quite as invigorating as outdoor play, and kids realise how much fun it is once they get out
Definitely, they think they don’t want to go out, but have the best time when they do get out
Sometimes the best fun can be had in your own garden, I remember playing for hours in mine as a child. Unfortunately Daddy keeps Koi so we have a large pond and our garden play definitely has to be totally supervised so they don’t go out as much as they should #countrykids.