Fall is officially here and with this season comes pumpkins, leaves, apples and cooler
temperatures. Here at Before5, we love to see kids playing and exploring their surroundings
outside. Outside play promotes healthy brain development such as learning through discovery
of plants, trees and insects, improves social development by meeting new friends at the park,
sharpens critical thinking skills from problem solving individually or with a group of friends, and
helps lower the risk of mental illness by exposing kids to vitamin D from the sun and encourages
physical activity.
Encouraging outdoor play can be as simple as opening your front door. If you don’t have space
to explore outside where you live, go to your local park. Look for sticks and rocks to build with.
Point out the difference between a flower and a weed. Talk about the difference between trees
and bushes. Listen to the birds chirping. Watch the squirrels chase each other. Collect acorns
and pinecones. Meet new friends to play with. Give your children space to develop social skills
as they interact with their new friends.
