Cognitive Benefits of Outdoor Play

Study Notes

Outdoor play enhances learning and concentration by providing a stimulating environment rich in sensory experiences.
It helps children develop their observation skills, notice, and interpret the natural world.
Outdoor activities that involve problem-solving, such as navigating through a wooded area or building a fort, improve critical thinking and creativity.
The varied and complex nature of outdoor play helps develop a child's ability to concentrate as they focus on tasks for extended periods without distractions.

Outdoor play is an effective tool for stress reduction, offering a calming effect on children.
It allows children to engage in free play, which is self-directed and exploratory, encouraging the development of emotional resilience.
Outdoor play helps children manage their emotions, cope with challenges, and interact with peers in a less supervised setting.
The increased physical activity in outdoor play helps in the release of endorphins, leading to improved mood and overall emotional well-being.

Preschool children need time to play outside every day to develop gross motor skills, engage in unstructured social play, and manage their emotions.
Outdoor play affects children's on-task behavior, which has significant implications for their learning.
Research suggests that on-task behavior is associated with academic achievement, self-regulation, attention, and working memory.

A study found that children who participated in outdoor play were more attentive during group time instruction.
Males and children in poverty benefited greatly from outdoor play before group time.
The study also found that the level of physical activity during outdoor play affected on-task behavior, with more active children being more on-task during group time.
Sedentary children were less likely to be on-task after an outdoor play experience.

Teachers should be mindful of the different ways children learn and account for this in the classroom.
Providing movement breaks and strategically placing active outdoor play before important learning experiences can help children stay on-task.
Cutting recess time can be counterproductive, as children need outdoor play to recharge and stay focused.
Teachers should encourage children to move and engage in outdoor play, as this can improve their on-task behavior and overall learning experience.