With the chill of winter settling in, it is a great time to discuss the importance of outdoor play. During the cooler months, it is common for children to be restricted to indoor play, but here at the house, we embrace the outdoors during all seasons as we know it is crucial for children’s ongoing development.
The most common myth of winter is that children get sick if they play outdoors in the cold – let’s discuss. It is common for one to believe that the cold, brings on a cold. However, it is not the exposure to the cold that causes these viruses, although we may go above and beyond on the cleaning and disinfecting daily and have our HEPA filters running, it is the indoors that bacteria and viruses like to stay even when unwelcomed. By encouraging outdoor play in winter, children gain much needed exposure to fresh air, and Vitamin D.
During the spring and summer, children will become familiar with bright green foliage, flowers in bloom and warm climate. As the seasons change, they will experience different characteristics in the environment – falling leaves, brown grass, ice, and snow. These developments provide children with new experiences and opportunities, such as learning about the seasons, and the life cycles of plants. Through play in the winter, the children see their natural environment in a different lens and observe different experiences the cooler months may bring.
Inviting children to discover the wonders of winter at a young age, encourages them to enjoy the season as they grow up. As they spend time outside in the colder temperatures, they will develop resilience and foster a fascination with the changing seasons.
We are all for play, in all four seasons!
Bundle up, and enjoy the cold! It’s good for you 🙂
The Chartwell House.