Watching ants carry a crumb of food, playing on playground structures, observing how ripples are made in puddles, or just watching the clouds float by – such activities in the great outdoors stimulate your children’s young, curious mind, offering a chance for discovery and imagination.

If your children spend most of their time indoors, they may miss out on nurturing their cognitive, emotional and physical development in an ever-changing and free-flowing environment that promises to stimulate all their senses.

THE NOT-SO-GREAT OUTDOORS?

Harvard University biologist, Edward O. Wilson, proposed a theory called "biophilia", which states that humans are instinctively drawn towards their natural surroundings. Parents these days may not agree, as many children clearly express a preference for screen time over playing outside.

However, research has clearly shown that outdoor learning experiences positively impact not only children’s physical development, but also children’s academic performance, peer interaction, and emotional well-being.

Children who are engaging in meaningful interactions with their surroundings are more likely to see everyday moments as learning opportunities, and they are more inquisitive, confident, happier and stronger.

While your children may prefer watching YouTube videos to playing outdoors, it’s important for parents to set aside time for their children to play outdoors.

GOING OUTSIDE IS GOOD FOR YOU

1. It increases curiosity

When your children explore the outdoors, they’ll become curious about the many interesting things they discover. From plants and animals to weather elements, your children will be inspired to learn more about the world around them.

Instead of only using their sight and hearing when using devices, children use all their senses outdoors – smelling the breeze, feeling the sand, tasting the rain, seeing the sky, and listening to the water in the stream.

The natural world is one large laboratory offering real, authentic learning like nothing else can. Whether they’re deciding how far they can throw a stone, or wondering what a worm’s underground tunnel looks like, children are constantly processing information and experimenting to find answers when they are outdoors.

2. It promotes good physical health

Sitting inside on a couch all day is not healthy for children. Running and climbing outdoors will get their muscles moving and hearts pumping, which helps them build strong bodies. Being exposed to sunlight also helps children absorb vitamin D which has many positive benefits, including contributing to a strong immune system.

Outdoor play also allows children to be more physically active than indoor play, helping them burn more calories and become fitter, thus reducing the risk of obesity.

3. It stimulates imagination and builds brains

When they are outdoors, children will have to find and invent ways to have fun by creating games and activities they can do outside, which in turn helps them exercise their imagination.

Research shows outdoor learning experiences positively impact not only children's physical development, but also children's academic performance, peer interaction, and emotional well-being.

Engaging children in their surroundings allows them to enhance inquisitiveness, see everyday moments as learning opportunities, and build knowledge and vocabulary.

These days, most children prefer watching the screen to playing outdoors. You might have to take away their electronics for a bit to convince them that there’s more fun outside the house than online.

Here's a little tip: the best way to encourage children to love the outdoors is to spend time enjoying nature yourself!