Poulami Sarkar

Beyond the pleasure of being outdoors, nature-based play enables children’s sensory, cognitive and emotional development

Outdoor nature-based play is invaluable for youngest children’s sensory development. Children benefit from direct sensory experiences which cannot be replicated in artificial play areas and spaces. Beyond the pleasure of being outdoors, nature play enables children’s sensory, cognitive and emotional development. Therefore it’s important for parents and educators to encourage nature-based play through activities such as nature walks, gardening, and outdoor play. The major benefits of encouraging nature play for toddlers and pre-schoolers include:

Cultivates curiosity and stimulates cognitive growth. Outdoor play in natural environments cultivates a toddler’s curiosity and aids her cognitive development. The multisensory engagement presented by nature — flora and fauna — is a rich canvas stimulating children’s inherent exploration and spatial attention skills.

Fosters emotional resilience. Nature offers children a unique environment to introspect and nurtures free thinking. Several research studies have shown that exposure to nature reduces stress and anxiety within children. Outdoor play, with open and unstructured form, is a sanctuary for emotional exploration and expression, evoking sentiments of awe and wonder in children. This emotional connection forms the basis of a positive attitude towards the environment and its conservation.

Sensory processing skills. Exposure to nature enables development of a child’s sensory processing abilities. The array of stimuli in natural environments, together with distinctive textures and sounds, hones a preschooler’s ability to distinguish and experience a variety of sensory stimuli. Balancing on uneven natural terrain and feeling diverse textures underfoot contributes to the improvement of children’s coordination, balance, and spatial attention. Nature, with its organicism and dynamism is pivotal to developing children’s gross motor capabilities.

Socialisation and interpersonal skills. Nature play is a powerful catalyst for improvement of children’s socialization and interpersonal capabilities. The open-ended nature of outdoor play encourages collaboration and shared reports among children. Imaginative and cooperative play encourages communication, negotiation, and cooperation life skills.

Safety concerns. Parental concerns about safety in outdoor areas should not prevent children from connecting with nature. Parents are advised to train their children in simple safety guidelines and if needed monitor their play.

(Poulami Sarkar is a conscious parenting and lifestyle coach and career strategist based in Kolkata and Jalpaiguri)

Also read: Helping children connect with nature