The importance of nature
About the connection between nature and a child's development, dozens of research findings have been published in recent years. Results describe how children's creativity grows by playing with natural materials, that they move more smoothly and better through all the walking, climbing and scrambling, and that they learn up close how valuable nature is. A small list of benefits that outdoor play brings.
1. Better motor skills
From the moment children can walk, they want to climb and clamber on everything. And when they get older there is nothing more exciting than building huts and playing hide and seek with friends outside. These are all actions that are good for your child's motor development. This way they develop physical agility and muscles. It’s a playful way to train their coordination, balance, reaction and stamina, reducing the risk of accidents.
2. Increased resistance
When children play outside, they create more vitamin D through sunlight. Children up to age four need extra vitamin D for their resistance, strong bones and good teeth. Research also shows that children have fewer colds when they play outside. Sleeping outside is also good for their health. More and more daycare centers have baby beds outside. The concept has flown over from Scandinavia. In these northern countries, consultancies advise parents to let their baby take an afternoon nap in the fresh air from two weeks of age. It increases resistance and they sleep longer.
3. Making friends
Playing outside means meeting other children. Interaction with peers takes place and provides different learning situations. By playing together, being considerate of each other and waiting your turn, your child trains their social skills. Together with peers, they think of all kinds of activities. Outside, there is less control and more often your child decides for himself what to do. Making friends and being with friends is therefore one of the reasons why children enjoy playing outside.
More self-confidence
Climbing to the top of the play rack, balancing on the edge of the sandbox or building a hut out of branches. There are many more challenges outside than inside. In the outside area, a lot can happen. Your child undertakes things on his own and pushes his limits. When he goes down the high slide or climbs a tree for the first time, it gives a sense of victory. Such an experience gives self-confidence. This makes children feel more confident.
Awareness of nature
Introduce your child to nature. This helps him see its importance. Outside, children experience space, plants, animals, weather, light, sound and soil much better than inside. In addition, children find beautiful things outside to collect, look at and play with. They see birds in the sky, a leaf with a special shape, a spider web in the hedge or a tiny tickle at the base of a tree. Each season provides new experiences.
More positive effects of outdoor play
- Your child releases more of his energy outside than inside: climbing, running, jumping and making noise.
- Playing in a natural location is often good for concentration, especially if you are inside a lot during a day.
- Children need to blow off steam from time to time, and that happens through playing outside.
- Being outdoors promotes a good night's sleep for your child.
- Playing with natural materials challenges children's creativity.
Adventure in nature
We believe it is important that children spend a lot of time outdoors, which is why we work closely with various nature experts. Together with these experts, we have developed various outdoor activities for our locations. From building an insect hotel to making their own vegetable garden. In addition, all team members can also attend a workshop on outdoor activities.