Even one of the grumpiest characters in all literature enjoyed and appreciated outdoor play.
As a child, the elementary school I attended only had indoor recess when it was raining. I imagine most of us experienced the same. And it was miserable. Confined to the cage of our classroom our ants in the pants were on fire. In hindsight, I feel sorry for our teachers.
Today, indoor recess seems to be a more regular event. But regular outdoor play is vital to a child’s development.
Consider this, kids who play outside are less likely to be obese and are more likely to develop motor patterns they need for both play and school. Equally, children who spend a lot of time outside are less likely to be nearsighted as opposed to children who play mostly inside and are more likely to spend excess time in front of a screen leading to a higher risk of myopia.
In essence, for children’s physical well-being, outdoor play is crucial.
But for their emotional well-being, nothing gives more bang for the buck than unstructured, free outdoor play. For example, outdoor play gives children a chance to experiment with healthy risk-taking which they can then apply to life. In other words, they learn to navigate the challenges life inevitably throws out, and how to manage the stress and anxiety that go with those challenges. Further, risky play also gives them a chance to develop resilience. Without these skills, adulting is harder than it needs to be. Practiced as children, however, they will internalize these critical skills and lean on them when life gets tough.
Even more interesting…
Research has shown that outdoor play ignites both creativity and imagination, two skills vital for elementary and secondary school, college, and ultimately a successful work life. Research has proven that outdoor free play supports improved memory, attention, and self-discipline in children. Again, all skills needed in adulthood for a healthy work life and personal life.
But let’s double down on that. In the winter there are even more learning and developmental opportunities. For one, everything looks and responds differently in the cold: frozen grass crunches under feet, boots are harder to manipulate around a play space than sneakers while swings swing slower, plastic buckets break more easily, hands are harder to manipulate covered with mittens and gloves and the slide may be more sticky. All of this requires problem-solving, determination, the ability to adapt, creativity, and imagination. When we add snow to the equation we have even more to work with as we up aerobic demands improving both brain and body health while building all kinds of strengths manipulating and balancing on slick, moving, uneven terrain.
And at this time in our culture when we are spending so much energy focused on disease, outdoor play in the cold has even been shown to improve immunity!
Just because it is cold or snowy outside, just because it might be a pain to get everyone suited up, bypassing an opportunity for outdoor play means lost opportunities for children to thrive and excel.
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Forget Something While at School?
Gloves?
Hands are always cold in the winter and coverings inevitably get lost. Classrooms can stock up on gloves and mittens at the Dollar Tree for kids whose have gone missing.
Boots?
There is always a child who wanted to dress himself or herself before school and shows up with sneakers or worse, sandals. Though we applaud the independence of dressing oneself, appropriate footwear is important for play. Raid the lost and found for extra boots and consider going through the pile at the end of the school year to sort out and keep boots for days like this in coming winters.
Coats?
Consider running a coat drive and collecting hand-me-downs to save for days when kids arrive without warm outerwear. Ask families to share their too-small items (including boots) for those who forget or might come under-equipped for the weather.
