— ADVERTORIAL —
Why Outdoor Play Should Be
a Part of Every Child’s Day
A s the temperatures drop, children
will likely spend more and more time
indoors. Outdoor play is just as criti-
cal in the fall and winter as it is in the spring
and summer. In fact, studies show that chil-
dren perform better in school and are physi-
cally and mentally healthier when they enjoy
the great outdoors. Children develop cre-
ativity and learn how to overcome boredom
on their own when they experience nature
and find ways to entertain themselves out-
side. Dr. Claire McCarthy, Faculty Editor of
Harvard Health Publishing points out the
benefits to executive skills, “These are the
skills that help us plan, prioritize, trouble-
shoot, negotiate, and multitask; they are
crucial for our success. Creativity falls in
here, too, and using our imagination to prob-
lem-solve and entertain ourselves. These are
skills that must be learned and practiced —
and to do this, children need unstructured
time. They need time alone and with other
children, and to be allowed (perhaps forced)
to make up their own games, figure things
out, and amuse themselves. Being outside
gives them opportunities to practice these
important life skills.”
With the increasing obsession with elec-
tronic devices and screens, and the typical
family’s busy schedule, it is more challeng-
ing now than ever for parents to find time
for outdoor activities on a regular basis.

Therefore, the ideal solution is that a child
spends some time outside at school every
day. At Westminster School in Annandale,
VA, children enjoy recess once or twice every
day depending on the grade level and all stu-
dents have PE class every day. If it’s a cold
day, children bundle up and head outside to
play on the playground or field, or they go
for a nice walk around the campus. The cold
is not an excuse to stay inside; in fact, the
crisp air is invigorating! Only in the most
extreme temperatures or weather condi-
tions will Westminster students have indoor
recess. Team sports are offered beginning in
the 5th grade, which provides the students
additional exercise, and which instills the
value of teamwork and winning/losing with
grace. Optional after-school sports enrich-
ment is offered to the younger students.

Westminster offers an outward-bound
program to students in grades 4-8. These
experiences challenge the students
to work together in teams to to over-
come physical and intellectual challeng-
es. Children go rock climbing, canoeing,
camping, and zip lining. In addition to the
physical benefits of this program, there
are mental benefits as well, since the chil-
dren must work in teams to solve prob-
lems. For instance, how will a team get
every person over a six-foot wall without
the use of a ladder?
Westminster recommends that all chil-
dren take a break after school and play
outside before beginning their homework.

This outdoor play provides a pause from
the focused attention at school and gets
the blood pumping to the brain, reener-
gizing the children for the time they will
spend on their homework. While parents
may be reluctant to give up the time prior
to homework/study time, Westminster
says that the 20-30 minutes outside will
pay dividends when a more focused stu-
dent can complete his homework in a
timely manner.

Many schools have cut back on the
amount of recess and PE students receive
in a week, in favor of more technology
classes. Westminster, however, remains
resolute in its commitment to daily play,
recognizing that outdoor activities are
beneficial to students in countless ways
and must be part of the everyday life
of a child. ■
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