It is a requirement of the EYFS for children to spend time both in and outside. The outside has been given a lot of attention over the past few years, as it is now recognised to be both an effective environment in which to learn, and a healthy one in which children can exercise. Being and playing outside has a positive impact on a child’s wellbeing and helps and influences all aspects of a child’s development. Being outside gives children an opportunity to do things in a different way and on a different scale. E.g. experiencing the differing seasons and its weather. All children need regular exposure to fresh air and preferably an opportunity to play outside. • Physical activity helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints. • Research shows that being outside …show more content…
Am I able to climb the climbing frame, can I slide down the slide. Healthy habits are best introduced in childhood, in order for them to be continued through to adulthood. Inactive children are more likely to become inactive adults. Bacteria and viruses are spread quickly within a setting. One way to reduce the spread of infection is through lots and lots of fresh air. Outdoor play enables infection to spread out in the open air and dissipate. Many of the developmental tasks that children must achieve – exploring, risk taking, fine and gross motor development and the absorption of vast amounts of basic knowledge, can be most effectively learned through outdoor play. Outdoor play should not be too academic or too teacher controlled. Outdoor play enables children to enjoy their natural environment, understand and respect their natural world. Being outdoors supports confidence and allows opportunities for big scale play, problem solving and creativity in the company of other children. Physical activity is enhanced so is calculated risk taking. In the outdoors children’s use of language is five times greater than