Outdoor learning and play is so important for early years development. At YMCA Nurseries, outdoor opportunities are a massive part of our children’s every day routine. Here are 4 important reasons why children need to play outside frequently.
Healthy and strong little bodies
When children play outdoors, they are more encouraged to move their body. Open spaces and the outdoors encourage climbing, balancing, crawling, running, and jumping. These activities help develop motor skills by strengthening muscles and improving their coordination.
Outdoor play allows children to be energetic in a way they cannot always do indoors. This can help create the foundations of a lifelong love of movement and healthy habits.
Boosts social skills and confidence
At nursery, children are granted a safe environment to take risks, which helps build confidence from a young age. As well as this, outdoor play can massively strengthen a child’s social skills by promoting turn-taking, team work, and group games.
When children play together outdoors, they engage in imaginative play, sharing, and new adventures.
Vitamin D and fresh air
It’s simple. Being outside is good for you. At this age vitamin D is essential for bone health and growth, and fresh air plays an important role in children’s wellbeing and development.
All of our YMCA Fairthorne Group Nurseries getting outside is a part of our everyday. We offer free flow, allowing children to safely come and go from the garden spaces.
Fun and unique learning
Outdoor learning supports children in ways that indoor spaces can’t. Children learn by doing, building, testing ideas, and figuring out what works in the real world. Being outdoors allows children to explore:
- Natural textures and materials
- Changing seasons
- Cause and effect
- Risk awareness
- Decision making
Outdoor opportunities at YMCA Nurseries
All YMCA Nurseries have dedicated outdoor spaces that children have access to every single day.
Select nurseries have the following
- Nature gardens
- Climbing frames and slides
- 95-acres of space
- Daily walks
- Streams to explore
- Forest School
To discover the outdoor benefits of your local YMCA Nursery, find their dedicated page here.
