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In an ever–growing digital age, it is easy to overlook the benefits of outdoor play and the importance it holds in our children's development. At Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD), we believe outdoor play forms an essential part of a child's growth, providing opportunities for learning, growth and well-being.
The benefits vary from physical and cognitive development to social and emotional well-being. At SISD we provide our children with the opportunity to engage in meaningful outdoor experiences, we are helping to lay the foundation for creative, confident, and resilient individuals.
Outdoor play encourages children to engage in a range of physical activity, that are important for developing fine and gross motor skills, coordination and balance. Activities such as; climbing, running, jumping and balancing. These activities also support the development of special awareness and proprioception. At SISD, our Early Years spaces are filled with exciting physical engagement, from bikes and scooters to climbing frames and construction. The overall benefits of physical development not only improve a child's health but can also have a positive long-lasting effect on their social skills and self-confidence.
A child's cognitive development is a crucial element of their growth and learning journey. Whilst learning from a classroom forms a large portion of their school day, we believe that learning beyond the classroom and outdoors, also contributes to a significant role in enhancing their cognitive development.
Outdoor environments provide children with stimulating learning spaces, which support their cognitive growth. At SISD our children have access to natural settings such as gardens, mud kitchens and water play areas, providing our children with unique experiences, that cannot be replicated within the classroom. These outdoor spaces invite children to explore, problem-solve, think critically and inspire creativity as they engage with their surroundings.
Outdoor play encourages children to engage with each other and develop their social and emotional skills. Children can work together to develop essential social skills such as sharing, negotiating and communicating effectively through exploring outdoor spaces at SISD. Our children can develop their confidence and independence when exploring our engaging outdoor spaces – they can explore, take risks and try new things on their own, at their own pace. They are constantly testing their own capabilities and learning new skills.
Children are constantly using their imagination to create a new world for themselves. Whether it be in the forest, the supermarket, pretend to be animals or building castles, children are constantly coming up with new ideas to remain engaged with their surroundings. At SISD, we see our children activate their creativity when they are outdoors. They enjoy inventing their own games, acting out scenarios and exploring the world around them. An outdoor environment presents children with endless opportunities to use their imagination and creativity, which is why we provide a variety of outdoor spaces for our children at SISD.
At SISD we always want to encourage our children to be safe. Outdoor spaces provide children with the opportunity to take manageable risks and exhibit their resilience. Whether they are going down the slide, building a tower with friends, exploring new areas, or getting on a swing for the first time, every activity allows children to assess risks and develop a sense of independence.
They use these situations to overcome obstacles, develop resilience and cope with different types of outcomes. This ability to take risks and learn from mistakes is essential for building confidence and fostering a growth mindset.