Swings + Roundabouts Winter 2021

Playing outside offers so much learning, but as winter rolls around often kaiako and whānau enthusiasm wanes for outdoor play, with concerns that being outside will increase the likelihood of colds and bugs. But research tells us that it’s germs that causes colds rather than playing outdoors in cold weather and being outside can lessen the time both adults and tamariki are exposed to germs when we are all inside in enclosed spaces. Outdoor play in the winter boosts vitamin D levels and uplifts the mood with research showing that exposure to sunlight provides essential vitamin D which regulates emotional and mental moods and can increase energy and sharpen memory. Tamariki can get their daily dosage of vitamin D in as little as 15 to 30 minutes outside. Winter offers a variety of different experiences in outdoor play, and no matter what the weather is like, playing outdoors benefits tamariki’s physical, cognitive and emotional development. Honig (2017) has identified a range of learning that occurs when young tamariki play in natural environments: ● Learning new concepts (mathematics, science, language, environment) ● Aesthetic understandings, tolerance, relaxation, ethical behaviour ● Creativity and imagination ● Sense of awareness and self-actualisation capabilities ● Enhanced motor skills ● Processing skills – observation, exploring, investigating ● Cooperation and collaboration. Jørgensen (2016) suggests that tamariki can experience different meanings in their outdoor space within seasons, changes in weather and even in different times of the day. Although getting out into your local environment outside the early learning gates is invaluable Jørgensen (2016) argues that wild places or wilderness for young tamariki can be found close by, without the need to venture far. If you allow your outdoor space to have natural elements of grass, stones, plenty of plants, bark, trees, dirt, vegetables, flowers, fallen leaves and water – there will be nature close by! Playing outside in different weather conditions delivers a new found appreciation of nature. It’s a chance for them to see their environment differently, to be creative, problem-solve and play in different ways compared to other months of the year. Winter provides tamariki with the opportunity to jump in the frost or muddy puddles, hold ice in their hands, and encourage curiosity, such as why does it rain, how come rain sometimes turns into ice, and why do the leaves change colour in autumn? Fallen leaves and sticks can encourage tamariki to use their imagination and to be more creative when playing. I’ve BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR PLAY BY TRUDI SUTCLIFE Ko Ranginui e tū iho nei, Ko Papatūānuku e takoto nei. Ko ngā hau ora o Tāwhirimātea e pupuhi nei. Haumie Hui e ... Taiki e. Ranginui stands above, Papatūānuku lays below. The winds of Tawhirimātea blows around us. Tis it is done, it is complete. June 2021 { 30 }