Ecological Theory Essay

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Ecological theory suggests that contact with nature is important for children’s emotional and social health because social relationships are encouraged in outdoor activities; there are no strangers in the child’s same age group “Children play more cooperatively outdoors.“(Bell and Dyment (2006). Childhood knows no boundaries of language, race or religion. That is why we normally see all kind of children playing together in parks and other places. The advantage with parks and open green places is that they offer more opportunities for creativity and imagination which enhances children’s language skills and social development. The diversity in social situations in an outdoor environment also prepares children for future life experiences. A study …show more content…

Environmental Psychologists recognize that contact with nature promotes a sense of well-being. Physical movements in the natural surroundings provide countless health benefits. They are among the best activities to develop a child’s gross motor skills. Children can run, jump, skip, roll, throw and catch, paddle cycle or swing. All these actions fortify the muscles and involve control of their legs, arms, hands and head. Children, who get more opportunities to play and specially play outdoors in the natural surroundings, are better at physical development, hand eye coordination and balance. Kahn and Kellert (2002) suggest that children’s physical and mental development is depended on experiences in nature. Outdoor physical activities make children’s immune system stronger and improve vitamin D deficiency. Being less physically active is linked with increased chances of obesity, which is on the rise at an alarming rate in children. Indoor or outdoor exercise has its benefits but doing it outdoor in the greener environment is far better as it provides lungs with much needed fresh air. American health research officials Bixler and Floyed (1996) are also promoting outdoor activities to reduce stress related diseases like asthma, depression and attention deficit disorder, in children and young