Outdoor Play Makes Children Smarter

Atlanta Parent magazine this month had a feature article that caught my eye in the library: Outdoor Play Makes Smarter Kids. The author, Stacy Losalzo lists 20 reasons to play outside. I read through the reasons and was reaffirmed in our school's philosophy of the importance of outdoor play.

I thought about what I had observed just this past week during our class's outdoor time. Today on the ship a few of the children were playing together. Motty was a baby dragon, Luba was the owner who came and bought the dragon.  Theo was a cat roaming around, but after a while decided to become a monkey. Menny was a monkey and Sholom was a dog and a monkey. They played together, climbing in and out of the ship, talking together with the different "animals" cooperating with each other in a very imaginative way.  This was proof of reasons #'s 3, 7, and 13: It stimulates creativity, it is imaginative and it improves communication skills.

Last week, Luba and Eden, both dug up worms. A few weeks ago, we followed a baby robin as it hopped around the play area, trying to get back to its nest. Proof of reason # 8: Being in nature develops respect for other living things.

Today we planted another tomato plant. Felix, Dovi, Jonah and Motty helped dig a hole to put in the plant. Alex watered the plants.  This is a new variety called the heart tomato. The tomatoes are a cherry tomato in the shape of a heart. Some of the tomatoes should ripen shortly. Proof of reason #2. It brings together informal play and formal learning.

Outdoor play is just one more way that our children learn through play! 

Reason #20: It is fun!

Morah Ruth