The Why

Children learn through their play.

Don’t underestimate the value of play. Children learn and develop:

– cognitive skills – like math and problem solving in a pretend grocery store
– physical abilities – like balancing blocks and running on the playground
– new vocabulary – like the words they need to play with toy dinosaurs
– social skills – like playing together in a pretend car wash
– literacy skills – like creating a menu for a pretend restaurant

Play is healthy.

Play helps children grow strong and healthy. It also counteracts obesity issues facing many children today.

Play reduces stress.

Play helps your children grow emotionally. It is joyful and provides an outlet for anxiety and stress.

Play is more than meets the eye.

Play is simple and complex.  There are many types of play: symbolic, sociodramatic, functional, and games with rules-–to name just a few. Researchers study play’s many aspects:  how children learn through play, how outdoor play impacts children’s health, the effects of screen time on play, to the need for recess in the school day.

Play is a child’s context for learning.

Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play. It gives them a place and a time for learning that cannot be achieved through completing a worksheet. For example, in playing restaurant, children write and draw menus, set prices, take orders, and make out checks.  Play provides rich learning opportunities and leads to children’s success and self-esteem.

Play is the process through which children learn everything that they need to know that cannot be taught. Play wires the brain, builds capable bodies, and is the foundation of building relationships.

OPAL’s programme enables schools to provide every child with rich opportunities to be creative, collaborative and active in their outdoor play, in environments that are safe enough for ‘health and safety’ but challenging enough for children’s ongoing development.
http://www.outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk