Why Do Toddlers Need Outside Time?

Playing outside is essential for a child's development and sense of wonder. That's why doing it in the comfort of your own backyard is the ideal option.

Toddlers have an innate desire to learn about their environment. They enjoy the freedom to roam around without worrying about harming themselves or getting into trouble with their parents.

As long as the environment is safe for your child, they will happily run and play until lunch time.

Parents generally want their children to grow up to be healthy and happy people who can think for themselves and care for others.

Imagine if we told you that getting your kids outside more would do more for them in developing these traits than anything else you could do.

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Young children's emotional and mental health can benefit greatly from more time spent outside away from screens, so it's important to encourage this behaviour.

There's no disputing the therapeutic value of getting outside, whether by visiting a park with a focus on nature or going on a family trek through the woods.

Why Is Outdoor Play Important?

When your kid plays outside, he or she can experience the outdoors and learn about it in a hands-on way. Games provide an outlet for her to explore her physical and creative potential while simultaneously bolstering her sense of self.

Playing outside typically results in more mess, but that's part of the pleasure.

It's likely that your youngster has more room and freedom to make large actions like running, jumping, kicking, and throwing when he's outside. The health, fitness, and growth of your child all call for active play like this.

Your kid's risk of becoming nearsighted may go down if he or she spends more time outside. Additionally, moderate sun exposure can help increase vitamin D levels, so some time spent playing outside in the sun is not without merit.

The Benefits Of Outdoor Play For Physical Development

Children who spend time playing outside benefit from enhanced motor abilities, a lower body mass index, better general health, and greater muscle strength.

Active play outside is important for children's health now and throughout their lives. When kids are active as toddlers and preschoolers, they tend to keep that up as adults.

Young children's positive outlook on the importance of physical activity in later life can be fostered by frequent outdoor play.

Improved Motor Skills

Children that spend time playing outside develop superior motor abilities, such as coordination, balance, and agility, compared to their "indoor" counterparts.

Children who spend time outdoors are more likely to have an interest in physical pursuits like walking, jogging, and riding. When kids go outside, they can safely explore their physical abilities throughout a wide range of motions, including running, walking, jumping, swinging, and throwing. A game of catch is possible. They are able to hide in bushes, ascend trees, and ride bicycles.

Kids become stronger and more assured in their physical talents when given opportunities to test and stretch those abilities.

Longer periods of time outside can also provide young athletes with the space and time they need to hone fundamentals like batting, kicking, and catching as they learn new sports.

Index Of Lower Body Mass

Only 7% of children were classified "fat" in 1980. Thirty years later, research indicates that as many as one-third of today's children are overweight.

Kids are consuming more and less time being spent being active, which is leading to a huge increase in childhood obesity.

Kids who are more physically active, such as those who spend more time playing outside, are less likely to be overweight. They're not in front of a screen of any kind. They're using more energy than their inactive counterparts because of all their running, jumping, and climbing.

Among preschoolers, a direct association was found between children's allowance of free time and their BMI. The child's body mass index decreased in relation to the amount of time they were permitted to play outside.

When kids have close friends who share their enthusiasm for playing outside, they are more inclined to do it themselves.

Therefore, it is beneficial to encourage children to associate with physically active peers.

Health Overall Improvement

Prevention of childhood obesity offers far-reaching benefits for the child's health.

Children that are considered obese are at an increased threat of developing health issues like heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and sleep apnea.

In addition, being outside in the sun has been shown to boost moods and immune systems.

Children with ADHD benefit from playing outside since it allows them to burn off the excess energy that can make them a nuisance at home.

Improved Muscle Strength

Did you know that your child uses every muscle in their body as they learn to hold on, sit up, and follow the motion of the swing as you push them?

You're absolutely right.

Parents typically view it as a playground activity that helps young children build muscle strength via repetition and monotony.

Scooters, bicycles, and even skateboards are great outdoor toys because they encourage your child to use and develop many different muscle groups.

Benefits Of Social Development

Children's social development can greatly benefit from time spent playing outside, in addition to the many physical advantages. Among the most significant advantages are:

Openness To Parents And Caregivers Has Grown

When youngsters spend most of their time indoors, they share a confined space with other kids (either classmates or siblings) and have to fight for everyone's attention.

Since children, especially the youngest ones, tend to be easily overwhelmed by loud and overwhelming environments, they may become increasingly silent as a result.

They may be hesitant to confide in their careers as a result of that.

Kids are less likely to feel overwhelmed while they are outside playing, as they are not in a restricted location where they must compete for attention with their peers.

When a youngster is free to run around and play without being stifled, they frequently feel more comfortable talking to their parents or carers about anything.

Greater Self-Awareness

A child's ability to think and observe the world around them is more likely to flourish when they spend time playing outside.

Swinging on the playground has many positive effects on children's health, as we discussed previously, but it also gives them a chance to see the world in a new light.

When an adult pushes them, it teaches kids to be alert to their surroundings and to recognise the relationship between actions and their consequences.

Environmental Appreciation

A whopping 87% of people who spent time outdoors as kids still feel the same way as adults.

Eighty-four percent of those same respondents also said protecting the environment was still very important to them.

The explanation for this is straightforward: kids who get plenty of fresh air and exercise develop a genuine appreciation for nature as they have firsthand experience with the world's plant and animal species.

Squirrels have been observed pursuing one another up a tree for their amusement. And now they may say they've seen the sun set. These people have captured ladybirds. Flowers were planted, trees were climbed, and parks were explored.

Because of the significance they now place on the places they visited as children, those who have pleasant recollections of those places as children are more likely to work to protect them as adults.

Peer-To-Peer Relationships Have Been Improved

Children who spend time in nature develop a heightened sense of both self and social awareness.

Outside children are less prone to bully other youngsters, according to studies. Children learn to cooperate together and use their imaginations while playing outside, which has a great effect on their social relationships and development.

Children who regularly engage in outdoor activities are more likely to get along with their friends and establish common ground, however this does not rule out the possibility of disagreements about who gets to go down the slide or shoot a basket.

As a bonus, being outside in the sun lifts their spirits. When you're in a good mood, it's tougher to hold a grudge against someone.

Benefits Of Emotional Development

Children who frequently engage in outdoor play get the benefits of increased physical health, better social skills, and a more developed capacity for emotional processing.

Use Of All Five Senses

Little ones who spend a lot of time in front of the TV are relying heavily on just their eyes and ears. As a result, kids may develop a reduced capacity for recognising and reacting to the world around them. However, kids who spend time outdoors engage all of their senses while playing, including taste, if they catch any snow or droplets on their tongues.

This gives young children practise processing information from a wide range of sensory inputs as they mature and expand their brains.

Develop A Sense Of Independence

Children's confidence in their own abilities might flourish when they spend time outdoors. Even if a parent is typically there, children often experience a level of independence in a public park that they don't have at home.

They are allowed to roam and take safe risks without constant adult supervision. They can get creative and have fun with their pals while discovering their limits and potential.

The self-assurance that comes as a result will serve them well as they continue to develop their skills.

When kids are outside, they can test out new skills and activities, like using the monkey bars, that they wouldn't have the chance to do in a more confined setting. the equivalent of "Can we get to the net if we jump really high?"

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Benefits Of Intellectual Development

Many parents believe that exposing their child to a structured educational environment is the greatest approach to help their child grow intellectually.

Did you realise, though, that exposing your kid to the great outdoors can do wonders for their brain power? The following are some major advantages of playing outside.

Aid With Brain Development

Children gain a sense of autonomy and creativity when they are free to run around and play outside.

When kids work on games, solve problems, and put their own ideas into action, they not only get a sense of independence, but also improve their organisational skills and capacity to make responsible decisions in collaborative settings.

Developing a sense of order and discipline through rule-making and -enforcement is another valuable life skill that children pick up while playing.

Improve Communication Skills

Playgrounds and parks provide kids with numerous opportunities to interact with and form friendships with peers their own age.

They gain the social skills necessary to get along with a large group of kids by interacting with those who are different from themselves.

Playgrounds and other common outdoor areas provide children with the independence they need to experience meeting and making friendships without the assistance of their parents, although parents do have a role in this, especially when they organise playdates with friends to meet up in an outside space.

Expanded Learning Space

Outdoors, children can learn via play when educational toys and resources are made available to them.

Also, it teaches students that education isn't limited to traditional classrooms and lecture halls.

When kids learn to keep score at games, for instance, they improve their counting skills and gain insight into numerical relationships as the stakes rise.

Signs That Your Toddler Needs More Time Outside Playtime

We know that our kids benefit from spending time outside in the fresh air and sunshine, exploring new places and making memories with their friends, siblings, and relatives.

If you're a parent, though, you might be wondering how to gauge whether or not your kid is getting enough fresh air and exercise.

There are actually indicators that your child needs to spend more time outside playing.

They Are Not Reaching Gross Motor Milestones.

Kids need room to climb, run, leap, and explore without risk when they're confined to the house.

Occupational therapists have formal education and experience assessing children's motor and sensory development. We often observe that certain kids can't keep up with their brothers and cousins when it comes to running, jumping, and climbing.

Don't fret if your kid sounds like this. Your child's motor skills might be brought up to speed if you encourage them to get moving.

When asked how they may best assist their children in developing their motor skills, parents are typically given the advice to encourage more time spent outdoors and more active, physical play.

They Easily Get Tired Or Frustrated

It's no surprise that children have boundless amounts of energy because they spend so much time playing outside. But if you think your kid might be lacking in stamina, sending them outside to play is a great way to help.

Some kids aren't strong or healthy enough to keep up with their peers, so they could grow fatigued, frustrated, or avoid doing things that their pals enjoy.

Give them free reign over their time spent playing outside.

Unless it's extremely cold or raining, kids should spend as much time as possible outside.

They Must Improve Their Coordination.

Your youngster may benefit from more time spent outside if he or she struggles with coordination.

Some children also have difficulty with hand-eye coordination and find it difficult to play games that require accuracy or precision.

Their Attention Span Is Short.

Children typically have a limited attention span, making this a challenging topic. In fact, even mature individuals have trouble sustaining focus for long periods of time.

Yet kids who never venture out of the house may need to switch things up in order to stay mentally stimulated.

As a result, a short break to play outside or play more energetically can assist some children who tend to switch from one activity to another rapidly or who are having meltdowns and tantrums return to the original one with greater focus and concentration.

They Are Struggling To Control Their Emotions.

We're very sure every mother will understand this one. If your toddler is having epic tantrums, it may be a sign he or she needs to get some exercise and fresh air.

Children's ability to self-regulate and manage their emotions can be positively influenced by regular, even brief (15-20 minute), exposure to natural environments and physical activity (such as running around outside).

Toddlers lack the linguistic and cognitive maturity to give sound reasons for their emotions. You can see it in the way they behave.

Having spent too much time indoors, a child may act out by throwing a tantrum if they are allowed to play outside where there is more room to run around.

They may also try to stretch and move in areas that aren't designed for such activities, which might result in damage or other unintended consequences.

Even though it's embarrassing when your child decides to have a tantrum outside, getting them outside may help, and we've all been on the receiving end of an epic toddler tantrum.

They Are Not Sleeping Or Eating Right.

Do you remember spending the entire day outside playing and then being completely wiped out when you finally came back inside?

If your child isn't hungry during mealtimes or isn't getting enough sleep, maybe it's time to get them out more.

Children who don't get enough physical activity are more likely to have behavioural issues, such as picking at their food or fiddling with it, having trouble focusing, and having trouble falling or staying asleep. This, in turn, can make them unduly irritable and prone to tantrums and tears.

Lethargic Or Uninterested In Anything

On the other hand, depending on the child and the day, not enough time spent playing outside may have the opposite impact and cause the youngster to feel even more exhausted.

Children who never venture outside may grow listless and disinterested. They could be more motivated to start active and have a good time if they can play outside in the open air.

Your child's health, happiness, and overall well-being will all benefit from more time spent outside playing.

Toddlers' Outdoor Play

A toddler's natural curiosity about the world and eagerness to try out their newfound physical abilities make them great explorers. To keep your child entertained outside, you may do things like:

• sports involving ball-throwing and catching
• Playing with toys and other objects on wheels, tracks, or pulleys
• crossing the street, stepping over gaps in the sidewalk, dashing over puddles, or skipping towards a favourite tree or object
• hobby involving bubble-making and subsequent pursuit
• having fun in the sand, dirt, or shallow water (but under adult supervision at all times)

Encouraging Children To Play Outdoors

It's important to get kids of all ages, from two to twelve, away from screens and into the great outdoors. We have a wide range of playpens for your baby right here at My Baby Nursery.

Taking your children on an adventure to a new park or playground might be the perfect way to get them excited about spending time outdoors, whether they're playing alone or with friends.