ELC News
Exploring Our New Playground
Lyn Pewtress, ELC Coordinator
We have been so fortunate to have the first stage of our new playground completed.
The children (and staff!) have loved exploring the new outdoor space. Short of heavy rain, we encourage the children to explore the great outdoors for its many benefits and learning opportunities.
For a young child, outdoor play in an early childhood program is beneficial for many reasons.
These include:
Physical Exercise and Health
Children need to refine large and small motor skills, coordination and cardiovascular endurance which can be developed in outdoor play. There is something fundamentally healthy about being outside; this play develops disposition for the outdoors, physical activity and care of the environment.
Learning About the World
Outdoor play enables young children to inquire about the world. For example, ‘How do plants grow’? ‘What does mud feel like?' Learning can occur in a number of ways, but discovery in the outdoors engages children in hands-on experiences. Children are able to explore, experiment, manipulate, change, marvel, discover, practice and create. Some of our favourite childhood memories are outdoor activities.
In the outside playground, children can enhance their vocabulary and knowledge of math, construction, science, gardening and the seasons. While outdoors, children not only learn fundamental knowledge about how the world works, but they are more likely to remember what they have learnt because it is concrete and meaningful.
Learning About Self and the Environment
To learn about their own physical and emotional capabilities, children must take risks and experiment with the physical world. 'How far can I climb?' 'Does this plant need water?' A child can discover this relationship with the world only by experiencing it as they interact with the natural environment.
Social Play
Children need lots of opportunities outside to develop their social skills. Physical, constructive, and sociodramatic play also involve social play, especially if the activity encourages the engagement of more than one child. Projects such as gardening, observing the weather and having a picnic can be—and should be—social experiences.
Dramatic Play
Dramatic play requires children to impose details, information and meaning into their play. Therefore, a well-planned playground such as ours includes structures such as cubbyhouses and tepees; allowing the children to expand their imagination and encourage rich sociodramatic play.
Allowing Children to be Children
Never more than now, today’s children live a more contained and controlled life with online schedules, extra-curriculum activities and high expectations. Outdoor environments fulfil children’s basic needs to wonder at nature, explore the unknown, the unpredictable, and the adventurous.
Young children require opportunities to explore, move and engage in nature. Our new playground has been well planned to provide all the ELC children with these outdoor experiences.