PLAYING OUTSIDE OFFERS KIDS ENJOYABLE LESSONS

June 9, 2004

JULY 9, 2004 By Sharen Hausmann, For the Journal-Constitution

Summer is the perfect time for many of us to reclaim our outdoor spaces after being cooped up inside all winter. And for the kids, it?s time to take the playing?and the learning?outside. 

Why play outdoors? Though back yards and playgrounds are usually considered places for kids to simply get some fresh air and ?blow off steam,? outside play can be as critical to the learning process as activities in an indoor environment. 

Children's outdoor play is different from time spent indoors: the sensory experiences are different, and different rules of play apply. The smells, sights and sounds in a backyard or a park are unique to nature, and rambunctious play discouraged indoors can be safely enjoyed outdoors. Outside, children are free to be as messy, noisy and energetic as they want to be. 

You don?t need expensive swing sets or playhouses for children to enjoy playing and learning outside?even the simplest patch of lawn or pile of dirt can spark the imagination and creativity of children under the age of five. 

Before you begin taking the children outside, remember to do a safety check of the area where your child will be playing. Look for anthills or poison ivy, broken glass or other dangerous objects that might have collected over the winter, and remove any sticks or branches that might have fallen. 

The most important benefit of an outdoor environment is the wide range of observational and creative opportunities for children of all ages, especially those under the age of five. 

When outside with your children, consider the following natural elements in abundance in every outdoor setting: 

Birds: Watching and talking about birds in the environment is an experience even the youngest children love. Hang a bird feeder in your yard or set up a birdbath to attract all types of birds, and take the opportunity to discuss their different sizes, the colors of their feathers and the interesting, different sounds that each one makes with your child. 

Insects: Bugs stimulate curiosity as well as a wide range of reactions in children. Butterflies, for instance, may bring about a more friendly response than beetles, but whatever the response, children want to explore and learn more about them. Consider planting a butterfly garden and having butterfly nets on hand, or catching bugs such as fireflies and observing them in unbreakable insect containers.

Weather: Watching cloud formations or observing the direction of the wind is fascinating to children, and in the South we get a wide range of weather this time of year. Consider placing instruments for measuring rainfall within view of children, or hang a thermometer to teach about temperatures and numbers. Changes that result from weather patterns, such as seasonal plant changes and the way we dress can also be part of the learning experience.

Plants: Plants serve an essential role in the outdoor learning environment. The textures, colors and smells of flowers, shrubs, trees, grass, moss, fruits and vegetables provide wonderful learning opportunities for small children. Consider planting an age-appropriate garden with your child that starts with seeds, bulbs or seedlings. Plants help children observe the passage of time and learn about cause and effect as their plants get bigger. Plant quick-growing vegetables like leaf lettuces, radishes and beans so children can both observe and measure growth and taste the fruits of their labor. 

Digging area: A place where it is okay to dig and get messy is hard to find for a child. Dirt provides a completely different experience than sand, and leads kids to create, climb, dig and build. Provide a water source such as a hose in the digging area, as well as small washable toy animals, a farmhouse, small figures, houses, small sticks with which to build cabins to enrich the activity.

Collections: Kids love to gather and collect items found outside, such as rocks, feathers and leaves. Organize a scavenger hunt or simply walk around and gather these items to place in a shoebox. Press leaves and flowers between the pages of a phone book or between two sheets of paper and stack books on top. Allow your child the opportunity to learn what happens as these items dry for future enjoyment.

Finally, don?t forget to simply take indoor activities outside into the sunshine. Reading, art projects, board games, storytelling, and even dramatic play with costumes and props can be done outside. 

Summer has arrived so don?t wait: take your children outside to let their imagination soar into the clouds. 

â?? This article posted with permission from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Clayton/Henry.