Playing in an outdoor environment has huge benefits for young children’s learning and development. It is great for young children’s physical development and, while playing outside, children also learn how to get on with others and manage their feelings. Children also tend to develop a more positive attitude to learning when they are outdoors. They are usually more active, absorbed and involved, and they see a purpose in what they are doing.

The development of the senses of smell, touch and taste, and the sense of how they move through space (known as proprioception) are also best learned through experiences outdoors. These aspects of learning and development are just as important as (and also connected to) learning how to read, write or do maths.

For more information visit https://first5.gov.ie/userfiles/files/download/bf0d8b1d4bd70e89.pdf