I wish people understood that play is enough, especially for younger children. Play sets the stage for more effective academic learning.
Occupational Therapist
Skill Building in Outdoor Play
Early Experimentation
Manipulating sand by squeezing, molding, or compressing gives children a rich sensory experience that helps them explore force, cause-and-effect, and how different pressures can change the shape or texture of materials. Experiences like this encourage even the youngest children to experiment, observe, and adapt their approach.
Mathematical Thinking
Observing nature reinforces concepts that children are learning, like colors, shapes, and counting. Some flowers are big and tall, while others are smaller than their hands. They may notice more pink flowers than purple flowers, an early math concept related to comparing quantities.
Real World Science
Playing with bubbles on a windy day lets children explore force and motion as they observe how invisible forces like wind have an effect on things. The colors and way bubbles move and pop spark fascination and curiosity, keeping young learners engaged.
Collaborative STEM
Fort building fosters problem-solving, teamwork, and communication while introducing basic engineering, balance, and physics concepts through hands-on experimentation. This process encourages experimentation and learning through trial and error, which is key to developing perseverance and a growth mindset.