The Impact of Outdoor Play on Children and Nature

Running head: The Impact Outdoor Play has on Children and its relationship with nature
0
THE IMPACT OUTDOOR PLAY HAS ON CHILDREN AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH NATURE
STUDENT NAME:
11/19/2018

The Impact Outdoor Play has on Children and its relationship with nature
1
INTRODUCTION
This essay aims to discuss what impact outdoor play has on children and the planet.
With advancement in technology with progressing time children have drawn more to
electronic devices to play rather than playing outdoors. This essay also highlights the fact that
Regular physical activity in children is essential for many physical and mental health
advantages (Jago, Griew, & Cooper, 2010). This essay will also tell about how children
playing outside, affects the nature directly or indirectly with respect to science and other
factors.
Information and nourishment is like water that takes shapes in their little minds and
body. As Australian Government Department of Education and workplace relations (2009)
states, learning outcome number three for children from birth to 5 years is to have a strong
sense of wellbeing and that children take better responsibility for their own health and
physical wellbeing. Playing outdoors directly leads to physical exercise keeping their bones
and muscles healthy and strong as only correct nutrition is not enough to ensure overall
physical development of a child .
With the increase in technological development job opportunities have also enhanced
and has brought along with it tremendous amount of workload to the working population of
any nation. This includes parents leading to a stressed and sad atmosphere, which is
unfavourable for a child’s innocent mind and can directly lead to permanent mental damage
for a longer part of the child’s life (Palmer, 2012). Cultural and moral shifts have also lead to
increased number of broken or unhappy marriages impacting the children involved.
Australian Government Institute of family studies (2016) suggests that the number of
divorces involving children under the age of 18 was almost 47% in 2016. Playing outdoors is
an escape from all this chaos and thus it is extremely important to make the child play
outdoors with other children to induce happiness and joy in them. Technological
development and parents busy schedule has made children stick to their mobile phones
making them miss the health benefits of playing outside and it might come with other hazards
(Madianou & Miller, 2011). The rate of obesity is also increasing among children because
they are not given enough opportunities and encouragement to play outdoors (Leyla,
Winterbottom, Mehta, & Roberts, 2010).

The Impact Outdoor Play has on Children and its relationship with nature
2
Children tend to pick habits and manners in this delicate age and tend to learn
everything they see, are taught or they listen to hence it is extremely important to let children
play in the company of other good children. Playing outdoor will teach them moral values
such as sharing, leadership, team work, equality etc. which will not only strengthen their
moral values but will also prepare for future life challenges they might face in school or at
work. Outdoor play is extremely important for the social development of younger children
(Scholastic Parents Staff , 2018).
Some parents and guardians might argue that playing outdoors might disturb a child’s
academics but studies show that playing outdoors games actually leads to better; faster and
more efficient brain functioning, hence does not disturb but might be beneficial for academics
if done in moderation. The decreasing amount of risky play that children are indulging in, has
made researchers, educators and parents concerned about whether children lacking from the
benefits risky outdoor play provides (Little & Wyver, 2008) and how the risks and benefits
can be balanced to ensure maximum learning.
Trapping children indoors will weaken immunity by not challenging it to fight against
germs and get immunised similarly keeping children indoors and not letting them face
challenges and risks in the outside world will not help them attain strength a normal human
being is supposed to have for basic existence. An environment that is too safe can encourage
children to participate in inappropriate and destructive risk-taking as children always look for
excitement (Dowell, Gray & Malone, 2011; Little & Wyver, 2008). Little & Wyver (2008)
conclude that allowing risk-taking does not mean ignoring safety.
Parents also worry about the risks that playing outside might include. Many countries
such as Australia has a Government provided guideline for safety in playing equipment’s’ for
children to ensure minimum risks. The guidelines consists of the structural shape of toys with
exact measurement, materials included in their manufacturing, correct mention of the age
group of children it is suitable for and guidance for parental supervision if required etc. These
make toys extremely safe for children to play with. (Australian Standards for Playgrounds
Safety 2012, 2012). Risks such as kidnapping or violent attacks are something that parents
and guardians are supposed to take care of themselves. Adequate safety and crime guidelines
do exist for ensuring safety of children outside the house but direct supervision is highly
essential as well. This does not come as an excuse to not let children play outside.