One of the many pieces of my practice will be supporting the health and well-being of children and having them engage in their learning through play either in a classroom or the outdoors. I personally prefer the latter. There are many benefits to playing outdoors that aids in a child’s development mind, body and emotions. So, when I came across the article Children’s Impulse Control: Using Nature as the Guide, I decided to take the time to have a read.
The article discusses how the outdoor play/learning environment impacts a child ability to better manage their impulses when in a “forest environment” although the research was conducted through a Forest Program it was said that any outdoor wide-open space should yield the same outcome. The three essential elements needed to help support and develop children’s impulse control were as follows: physical space, unlimited time and child-directed teaching strategies.
The physical space that is offered to children provides them with the opportunities to “connect, understand, share and collaborate with their environment.”
When combing the physical space with the unlimited outdoor time it allows for children to take ownership of their choices while exercising their own abilities resulting in better self-control. The research found that when allowing for children to take control of their own play it encouraged both educator and child to put trust into the child abilities to support their own outdoor experiences. In having the teacher in the background the children are able to choose play experiences that provide them opportunities to learn to control their inpulses i.e. self-regulation both behaviourally and emotionally.
Although, the article did not drastically contribute to any new learning in respect to my knowledge on the benefits of playing and learning in the outdoors, it did however strengthen my beliefs in “allowing the environment to be the teacher.” So, the next time I utter the words, “Let’s go play outside!”, I can be assured that I am doing my best to encourage a child’s learning and support their health and well-being “naturally”.
Reference
Canadian Child Care Federation. (2017) Membership. Interaction. Volume 32, Number 2, Spring 2019. Retrieved from https://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/wp-content/uploads/InterVol322-ENG.pdf
Isn’t it great that “just” going outside to play is not only fun, but healthy for the body and mind? I often think that’s why camping is so popular for people once we reach adulthood…. it offers us the chance to lose ourselves in the outdoors but under acceptable circumstances, lol. There would probably be a lot of funny looks coming our way if, as adults, we gathered in an open field to just play – but it does sound pretty fun!
Love the idea of an open field for us all to just play in. It is always so much fun for our inner child to come out to express the joy of play no matter how old we are.
I too fully support out door play being a great space to play and learn for children. Allowing the environment to be the teacher and children to manager their own impulses is a magical combination.
My favourite place to be! I wish we had more outdoor learning spaces for children. Nothing beats fresh air, and sunshine for the mind, body, and soul!