Creating Authentic and Challenging Outdoor Environments for Children

This essay explores the provision of challenging and authentic outdoor environments for toddlers and preschoolers, examining current ideas, beliefs, and approaches in creating these spaces. It emphasizes the importance of outdoor play for children's development and learning, highlighting how children benefit from naturalized environments with plants, water, and opportunities for exploration. The essay also discusses the role of risk-taking in promoting physical skills, health, and well-being, and presents current research on achieving effective physical development outcomes. Furthermore, it delves into the value of incorporating recycled materials, water features, sand, rocks, and plants into outdoor play areas, as well as the significance of adventure and risk in fostering problem-solving skills and resilience in children.

Running head: PROVIDING CHALLENGING AND AUNTHENTIC OUTDOOR
ENVIRONMENT
Providing challenging and authentic outdoor environments for toddlers and Pre-Schoolers
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Introduction
It is so unfortunate that children cannot design their outdoor play environment and thus
they have to depend on the context which is set by their parents and guardians. If children had
the design skills, they would design playgrounds based on their preferences which are very much
different from what most adults can develop for them. Children given the opportunity will design
outdoor environments naturalized with plants, flowers, water, dirt and animals (Barratt, Barratt-
Hacking & Black, 2014). We are all shaped by our experiences in life. This experience enhances
our wisdom and environment in which we operate. Most of the adults we have today used
asphalt playgrounds which they used when they were kids as their model. When someone has to
design an outdoor playground environment for kids he/she has to search through the paradigms
of the playground environment which resembles their childhood environment. For today,
children have more playground equipment becoming safer as compared to what we had in the
past (Clark, 2017). Adults are known to admire their environment, and they can remember and
think about their childhood environment which they are brought up into. Children absorb the
thing they see in their outdoor playground environment, they not only recognize these things, but
they become a part of their soul. They incardinate themselves in the world about them and that
their eyes see and their ears hear. For the early year’s environment of a child to be enabling, it is
significant that parents and guardians should have a deep understanding of how children learn
and the value of their independence (Dietze & Kashin, 2016). This paper focuses on current
ideas, beliefs and approaches to providing challenging and authentic outdoor environment for
children.it also focuses on current research on risks to achieve effective physical skills and
wellbeing of children.

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Ideas for providing challenging and authentic outdoor environment for children
According to several studies which have been conducted over a period indicates that
many kids are delighted calmer when they are outdoors. Children are not always happy when
they are forced to spend most of their time indoors they like been outside where they can run,
jump, yell and socialize with other children their age (Davis, 2014). It is advisable that parents
should allow their kids at least spend some time outdoors playing with other as they appreciate it
very much. For these reasons, a scientist has been able to come with ideas which I can give space
to kids in the outdoor playground environment which to them is very essential in early childhood
as it enables them to grow and learn (Weare, 2013). Parents and guardians are advised to
encourage their kids to play outside. Outdoor playground environment should keep on evolving
with the child age and interests to offer more opportunities for exploration, discovery and
learning. Parents should think of ideas like using recycled materials and corporate them in their
outdoor playground environment to give them a new life (Clark, 2017). The idea involves the use
of pallets and wooden spoons. Cooking materials such as market stalls are also preferred as they
make perfect outdoor playground resources as they help children get creative with recycled
materials. Use of this equipment makes children get the chance to see the essential roles and
advantages of up cycling and recycling waste products in their environment as well as giving
them an opportunity to explore and use their imaginations into using these materials in different
ways.
Water is another idea which designers can come up with including water in outdoor
playground environment for children. Parents who have water tanks in their homes are advised to
allow kids to access water and play with it (Ernst, 2014). However, they should keep close
supervision on them while using water so that they can learn how to conserve water and stop

PROVIDING CHALLENGING AND AUNTHENTIC OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT 4
wasting it. Children should be taught how to turn the water taps when they want to get some
water to play with and off after they get it, this is because if the water runs out, they are forced to
end their play session. Children should be provided with water tub which they should use while
watering gardens and vegetables to ensure that they learn how to make sure that all areas in the
garden get enough water. With the use of this idea, even toddlers are now able to use water cans
whenever they want to water their gardens. Outdoor playground with water gives them a chance
to explore further. Parents and guardians should provide children with the opportunity to be
responsible before expecting them to act responsibly (Clark, 2017). Water in the outdoor
environment is a fantastic tool for learning and discovery. It leads to a conversation such as
droughts, water conservation and questions like why plants need water to grow. Use of sands,
rocks and natural materials give an endless opportunity for kids to incorporate into play. Kids use
large rocks and logs for climbing and dramatic play (Tovey, 2014). Introducing plants in the
outdoor playground environment is another exciting idea which every designer should think of.
The plants can be in the garden or a pot. They play a significant role in making kids understand
the lifecycle of food and help them understand how plants grow and come to the table at meals
(Davis, 2014). It is a lesson for caring for the environment and plants. The last ideas are the use
of adventure and risks as they help children develop some problem-solving skills which enable
them to be able to overcome challenges and problems which encounter.
Beliefs to providing challenging and authentic outdoor environment for children
Many aspects of designer beliefs about providing challenging and authentic playground
are similar, and they are focused on the benefits of challenging outdoor playgrounds.
Practitioners and healthcare professionals in Australia share the understanding of principles of
early years framework which aims at ensuring that each child has the right of been healthy and

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stays safe and away from negative factor which may have adverse effects to their health (Ernst,
2014). It is highly significant that the right standards are set to ensure that the outdoor
environment in which children can develop themselves and explore new experiences in life.
Some communities most specifically in technologically advanced countries strongly hold the
belief that engaging children in a challenging and authentic playground environment assume an
essential role of the in the children intellectual and social development. Example include the
Dutch mothers who believe that involving children in playground activities affects their
cognitive, social and creative development of the kid (Barratt, Barratt-Hacking & Black, 2014).
In agricultural, hunting and gathering societies like the aboriginals people of Australia they
believe that children should only be introduced to farming, gathering and hunting skills. Parents
in these communities do not believe in the possibility of play as a mechanism of development of
early childhood skills (Follari, 2015). Children from agricultural developmental environments
which are faced with harsh economic conditions are forced to contribute to the household
economy. This has led to high mortality rates and parents in this communities believes that play
is incidental to the development of specific childhood skills.
Approaches to providing challenging and authentic outdoor environment for children
There are various approaches which are used to provide a challenging and authentic
outdoor environment for children. These approaches include theoretical frameworks and models
which are used to build socialization skills, goals practices and activities through which play and
kids express work. There are various ways in which cognitive and social skills of children are
enhanced in several communities (Gershoff, 2013). They include observing and paying attention
to what the child is doing and correcting them whenever they are wrong and advising them on
what is right for them to do and what they should not do. Another approach which is used in

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defining the relationship between work and play and their role in learning culture-specific skills
for both young boys and girl according to the activities which are carried on in their communities
(Ernst, 2014). The last approach is through broadening the definitions of play in the outdoor
playground environment for children so that a wide range of play activities can be included. This
activity can be framed or unframed depending on the background environment in which the child
comes from.
Discussion of Current Research on Risk to achieve Physical Development Outcomes for
Children
The attempts to enhance effective physical development among children has witnessed a
lot of research being conducted on the issue. Parents are expected to provide a conducive
environment for their growing children to enhance physical development. Immediately children
start sitting on their own to throwing ball; they develop physical skills which enable them to lead
a wonderful life. The physical development outcomes amongst children depend on the parenting
care, and the support children are given immediately they start sitting on their own (Eime et al.,
2013). Physical development among children is a broad field as it includes both the ability to use
muscles and body parts. As a result, children learn several skills such as lifting objects. The
environment is a significant factor in determining physical development outcomes amongst
children. The brain which controls all parts of the body is also responsible for enhancing physical
development (Brito et al., 2017). This indicates that apart from large muscles movements and
small movements motor skills are also necessary for strengthening physical development. As
children continue to grow, they learn a set of skills by a certain age.

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Previously conducted studies have indicated physical developments and activities to be
crucial in enhancing learning and development in early teaching. Physical development
outcomes differ amongst children. There is a standard age at which children should portray
particular physical developments. However, the difference is likely to occur between children
due to diversity in rearing environments (Baibazarova et al., 2013). In cases where children do
not meet the recommended or standard developmental milestones at the specified age, parents
are advised to engage the children in physical activities. Studies have indicated the steps to
follow to ensure that children portray the anticipated development outcomes within the specified
time. Parents should determine the developmental milestones which are appropriate for the
children at a particular age and write a draft highlighting the activities that will aid the children
to achieve the physical development milestone. Parents and guardians should encourage
independence with children and engage them in music and movement activities (Lai et al., 2014).
The use of art is useful in fostering children’s motor skills which is directly correlated to physical
development. Participating in sports and outdoor activities are also helpful in enhancing physical
development amongst children. The involvement in such activities ensures that children develop
physically within the standard time.
Value of risk-taking when promoting physical skills, health and wellbeing for children
Child play is termed as a significant activity that constitutes to the development and
learning process of young ones. As children take the risk of play, they get to learn the societal
norms, roles and values as well as develop physical, cognitive abilities. Research shows that
children who engage in play activities have high cognitive ability compared to their counterparts
who do not play. Play make children become creative and develop self-work (Glackin, 2016).
Child ability to make decisions and solving problems. As children play, they have to come with

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decisions on how they will conduct the entire activity by setting the rules to be observed. If one
goes against these rules, the issue might arise among them. They, therefore, have to resolve the
issues first before continuing with their play (Munroe & MacLellan-Mansell, 2016). Risk taking
in play helps children to test their physical limits and learn to evade and fit themselves in
dangerous activities and environments. Biologically, play contributes to human development and
changes. Outdoor play is essential for developing children's motor fitness and abilities. Through
this, the health of a child is bolstered by ensuring that their body organs function accordingly.
The wellbeing of children is improved by involving children in physical activities. When
children play, they associate with others, and this helps them to learn how to interact well with
people (Leggett & Newman, 2017). Through interaction during play, children share ideas on how
to conduct their activities in an orderly manner. Through this, children add to their knowledge
and skills in that they use the ideas they get from friends to integrate their knowledge and skills.
Despite there being risks in engaging in play activities, it is essential for parents to involve
children in these activities as they play a significant role in promoting their physical skills, health
and wellbeing.
Conclusion
Outdoor environments, especially in versatile areas, are essential for developing their
physical skills, health and cognitive abilities. When children are exposed to dangerous play
environments, they are left with no option but to come up with opinions on how to stay free from
any danger. Through this exposure, children develop their physical health, skills and cognitive
capabilities among others. Play help children to develop problem-solving skills and learn more
about the society. Also, children tend to have diversified ways of reasoning by interacting with

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playmates from different backgrounds. Play is essential in the life of a child and should,
therefore, be recommended regardless of the possible risks.

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