Social Skills Outside

Not all play outside is just about physical play.

When children are given time for imaginative play (inside or outside), they develop perspective-taking skills. This just means they can learn to think about the world through someone else’s eyes. This skill can help them become better at sharing and working with others.

Outdoor play is often louder, with more physical movement. Kids also engage in different social interaction. Oftentimes when children are doing activities indoors, they aren't given a choice of who to work with on the activity. But when they go outside, you will see groups of two or three children playing together and they learn different social skills in those smaller groups.

The natural world is essential to the emotional health of children. Just as children need positive adult contact and a sense of connection to the wider human community, they also need positive contact with nature and the chance for solitude and the sense of wonder that nature offers. When children play in nature, they are more likely to have positive feelings about their surroundings, making them more comfortable. A kid that is comfortable with himself will be more willing to interact in a positive way with others.

There’s a lot of social interaction that goes on when children play outdoors. Because they generally receive less direction from adults, they can learn by running, yelling, and using their outside voices. They learn what’s appropriate in this setting that may not be appropriate in other settings.

Related Training:
Outdoor Play Safety 
Making the Most of Outdoor Play