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Kids Blowing Bubbles

Benefits of Nature Play

Outdoor play is essential in the well-being of a child.

Toddler Girl Chasing Bubbles

Executive Function

These skills assist our mental processes that help us set and carry out goals and are crucial for the future success of a child. We focus on a few of these throughout each season:

  • Creativity

  • Sensory

  • Wellness

  • Focus

  • Persistence

  • Empathy

  • Problem Solving

  • Communication

Why play outside?

Spruce Needles

Connect to Nature

As children spend more time in nature, they develop a sense of appreciation and responsibility for the environment. They begin to understand how all living things are connected in an ecological balance and their place within it. Being in nature fosters a love for wildlife and teaches them the importance of protecting the environment, preparing them to become future conservation leaders.

Tire Swing

Sunshine

We need sun exposure to make vitamin D that plays an essential role in many functions in our body such as our immune system and bone development. Sunshine also improves mood and helps us sleep better at night. 

Climbing a Tree

Risk Taking

As parents, we often get anxious when kids engage in risky play, like climbing trees. However, this type of play offers numerous benefits:

  • Improves gross motor skills

  • Develops a sense of safety

  • Helps recognize dangers

  • Encourages self-control

  • Fully engages the brain

  • Increases confidence

  • Builds resiliency

Kids Playing Tug of War

Socialization

Developing skills for social situations:

  • Communication

  • Cooperation

  • Making friends

  • Sharing

  • Resolving conflicts

  • Empathy

  • Encouragement

Mud Play

Messy Play

Not always a favorite with adults, but messy play is so important in a child's development.

  • Scientific thinking

  • Creativity

  • Sensory development

  • Fine motor skills

  • Language development by describing how things feel

  • Cognitive development

  • Inclusive play

  • Problem solving

Girl with Autumn Leaf

Activates the Senses

How many senses do we have? Traditionally, we're taught about 5, but did you know there are actually up to 21? In our program, we focus on 7 essential senses, the traditional 5 and 2 others:

  • Proprioception: ability to sense movement, action, and location (e.g., closing your eyes and touching your nose)

  • Vestibular: sense of balance and spatial orientation (e.g., rolling, spinning, or being upside down)

Join Us Outside

Throughout the year, our classes offer you and your children seasonal opportunities to connect with nature through play.

Outdoor play is declining

Let's face it, children spend significantly less time outdoors than previous generations did and it's having an impact on our children's lives. Here are some recent findings:

  • Many children spend 6 - 7 hours a day on screens and less than 30 minutes a day outside

  • Outdoor playtime has decreased by 50% over the past 40 years

  • Lack of exposure leads to decreased physical, mental, and emotional health

  • Increased anxiety, depression, and stress starting in younger ages

  • Trends will impact future generations

Toddler with Mobile Phone
Apartment building construction
AG second 4th of July! _Shot with ♥ on a

Why the Decline?

Several factors contribute to the decline in outdoor play:
 

  • Increased Screen Time: With numerous technological entertainment options, children are spending more of their free time in front of screens.

  • Environmental Factors: Urbanization is expanding rapidly, reducing the availability of safe outdoor spaces for children to play.

  • Safety Concerns: Growing worries among parents about safety have led to increased indoor activity for children, which can hinder proper development.

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