Outdoor play boosts children’s brain power

CHILDREN let out to play develop a superior brain power than their couch potato peers, a child expert said yesterday.

And it is not just about getting fresh air — it is about getting children to mix with other children, said Steve Goode of the National Play Resource Centre.

Unfortunately, now, more than ever, outdoor play for children is being restricted by parental fears of increased traffic, fear of strangers and changing lifestyles.

Mr Goode warned that play deprivation would have real consequences into the future.

As well as helping to build communication and social skills, play was also a significant factor in children’s brain and muscle development.

At a conference in Dublin yesterday hosted by the National Play Resource Centre the whole area of play and playground design was explored.

“When children are let out to play and are not under the direct supervision of adults they learn conflict resolution and to take other people’s needs into account. These are very beneficial skills to have and you only learn them through play,” he said.

Mr Goode also believes that children should be let out to play in their neighbourhood whenever possible for long periods and at a younger age.

British play expert, Bob Hughes, who also addressed the conference, warned that parents and carers might be unwittingly adding to the risk of play deprivation by driving their children to school, using television or computer games as a form of pacification or trying to keep them ‘gainfully’ employed when not at school or doing homework through organised activity.

Mr Goode said better playgrounds were a good way of addressing play deprivation but the typical playground in Ireland was simply not challenging enough.

“Many of our playgrounds are very dull and even boring to children. They only allow for a very limited range of play and while children can climb, swing and slide there are few opportunities for other kinds of free play,” he said.