Seasonal contrasts when playing outside: Are there differences, obstacles or, are all beneficial?

Playing outside in autumn, winter, and early spring, each present their own unique opportunities for exploration and learning. Therefore, outdoor play should be embraced in all types of weather, as it is crucial for children’s ongoing development.

Winter: During the cooler months, it is common for children to be restricted to indoor play at home, and only permitted to play outdoors when it is warm and sunny. Whether it be at home with parents, or at early learning centres, school and before and after school programs, winter, snow and especially the cold turns adults off when it comes to them bringing children outside. (Montessori Academy, 2017)

Weather that we consider “messy” provides environments and materials that are inspiring and fun for children; for example, patches of ice, large snow hills, and trees covered in snow. These environments provide children with opportunities for new challenges, such as sliding down the ice patch and climbing a snow hill. Engagement with outdoor environments in the winter provokes new problem-solving skills. The ever-changing environments that the winter months have to offer provide children with the challenges that they so often crave. (Flannigan, 2016)

Spring: Spring season is a great opportunity to discover new forms of life when it comes to nature and letting children explore. Things like weather changes, plant growth and animal births. These are great opportunities to take to make a season like Spring, fun and educational. This season is great for children that love to run, explore and learn new things. It is dynamic as it turns into Summer.

Autumn: Autumn is a wonderful time of year to really use nature to promote the development of children. Leaves changing and falling off trees, might be the first spark of interest in children discovering more about the world around them. Leaves in their own right have so many incredible benefits from mathematics, sensory benefits, understanding the world and even literacy. 

Children should be outdoors talking about the changes, the colours, and following the children’s lead. The outside during autumn seems to hold a new level of intrigue for children as they kick leaves, play in puddles and mud, notice new natural objects such as pine cones and acorns, and become more in tun with wildlife. They may notice cobwebs more, observe squirrels and discover feathers on the floor.This makes teaching and learning incredibly easy around this time of year as there is so much to discuss and do. If the children are showing a keen interest the benefits will be even greater. (Kimberly, 2017)

Summer: Summer season and summer break can help build several factors in children like Intellectual development. Like for example, playing builds executive functions skills, content knowledge, and creative thinking. When children build with blocks or draw, they are counting, classifying, and creating and examining patterns. When children engage in dramatic play, they are practicing telling stories in a sensible order, using rich vocabulary, and writing. Construction play in particular has shown to build problem-solving and mathematical skills, says Lynneth Solis, who researches play and development at Project Zero . Social. Many children choose to play through their bodies, and physical wellbeing is important for success in other domains. In sports, outdoor games, and dance, children develop strength, muscle control, coordination, and reflexes. They push limits and try new things — racing down a hill, swimming underwater — that can motivate them to take risks in other circumstances. All these activities can be done all seasons, especially Summer time, where it should be promoted at all times, and whatever age. (Shafer, 2018)

To conclude, it's easy to say that play has gotten squeezed out? The cultural shift related to a desire to raise successful kids has driven parents to place children in a lot of structured sports, and music, art, writing and science classes. It’s true that exposing kids to different areas of possible interest – like through participation in structured activities – may help them find a passion. But when they’re spread too thin, they have no room to develop that passion.

References

1. https://www.fix.com/blog/keep-kids-playing-outdoors-in-winter/

2. https://montessoriacademy.com.au/outdoor-play-in-winter/

3. http://www.earlyyearscareers.com/eyc/enabling-environment/benefits-autumn-children/

4. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/18/06/summertime-playtime