What are the benefits of nature play for children?
This is a very good question and one that we feel was answered really well in an article we came across on The First Five Years blog.
In the article, it is discussed how parents are turning to nature play in a bid to encourage children to spend less time on electronic devices. Associate Professor Janet Dyment from the School of Education at the University of Tasmania says that “children playing in the playground, instead of in nature, miss out on creative, imaginative play that is open-ended and unstructured.”
“Nature play is when children are provided with the opportunity to engage in unstructured play activities in outdoor settings where natural elements feature, such as logs, rocks and water, as opposed to conventional manufactured play equipment,” says Dr Dyment.
Of course, parents have concerns that letting children play in nature comes with some risks from falls etc but we feel that there is also a risk in playing in a structured playground. Unfortunately, we have all either known or heard of children falling from a monkey bar and breaking an arm or leg.
On the whole, the benefits of nature play far outweigh the inherent risks of minor injuries.
Dr Dyment says, “The first being the physical benefits. Children who engage in nature play, move in different ways to other types of play. They move in ways that promote their physical wellness. They are lifting rocks, they are climbing over things, they are running through their imaginary nature spaces.”
The key point is there are many social skills benefits. With the limited number of play equipment found in the playground, it can encourage hierarchical social play where the stronger children or the ‘popular kids’ get the privilege to be on the swing or go on the slide, while in nature play it is socially level. Every child has an opportunity to participate and use their imaginative play skills.
Outdoor play promotes children’s wellbeing and development while improving socialisation, problem-solving, focus, self-regulation, creativity, self-confidence, and reduced stress, boredom, and injury.
As you can see there are many benefits to letting children play in nature. Many thanks to The First Five Years for this informative and interesting article. If you would like to read it in full, you can by clicking here.