The Physical Benefits of Outdoor Play

"There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing"

Mounting evidence about the importance of outdoor play, nature play and active play comes at a time that studies suggest that children are spending less time outdoors then they were in earlier generations. Australian guidelines say that children between 3 to 5 years should be active for at least 3 hours a day.  (Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care, 2021)

But do children get sick playing outside on cold wet days?

"One myth is that cold weather can make you sick, but that is not true. Being cold itself does not cause illness. However, when it is colder outside, children tend to spend more time indoors together, easily passing germs and infections". 

(Children's Health, 2024)

On wet/cold days bring along a warm weather proof jacket, a warm hat, some gumboots to splash into puddles and a change of clothing. 

Why is active play and outdoor play so important?

• Children’s health benefits from exposure to sunlight and fresh air.
• Physical activity strengthens children’s bones, muscles, heart and lungs.
• Physical activity helps children stay at a healthy weight.
• Physical activity improves children’s co-ordination, balance and posture. Gross motor skills impact on children’s fine motor skills needed for school such as writing.
• Nature play helps increase children’s well-being which can then help them be more relaxed, help them sleep better and increase their ability to focus.
• Outdoor play allows children to explore their senses, to learn through their play, to learn about nature such as life cycles, gardening and sustainability, to develop their independence, to assess risks and to develop their social skills with their peers.

Except on the very very wettest or windiest of days we are getting the benefits of being outdoors every day at Oakleigh Primary Kindergarten!!