All-weather Play

My name is Siobhan O’Reilly, and I’m a doctoral student in occupational therapy at Tufts University. I’m passionate about spending time outdoors and love sharing that enthusiasm with those around me. For my capstone project, I’m partnering with the Somerville Community Growing Center to create resources that promote outdoor play and highlight its positive impact on child development. My goal is to inspire caregivers to think about developmental milestones and feel excited about bringing children outside to play—all year long! 

This is the second of my two blog posts on outdoor play. You can read the first one here.

Children learn, develop skills and explore the world around them through play. Play is a natural part of child development and can be observed throughout the childhood years. It is recommended that children have at least an hour of playtime a day and that 30 minutes of this play time be outdoor play. Outdoor play encourages development in gross motor, fine motor, sensory and emotional regulation and cognitive abilities. 

Although many agree on the importance of outdoor play, children often do not get the recommended amount of outdoor play time due to a plethora of barriers that teachers, childcare professionals, and caregivers face. One of the many barriers is the changing seasons and weather that New England has to offer. The low temperatures and chances of ice and snow in the winter can make it hard to get outside and play. Many adults value safety for the children in their care and can be unsure about the risks associated with playing outside in the winter months. The winter conditions can be a safe opportunity for healthy risks for children, and can also drive their development.

Cold Temperatures:  Being outside in cold temperatures is safe for children as long as they are dressed properly. Dressing in layers and waterproof materials, when necessary, can allow children to be outside for longer periods of time. This website is a great resource to help adults understand what clothing may be necessary depending on the weather. When outside in colder weather, children learn to regulate their own bodies and their emotional responses to being uncomfortable, like being wet and cold. When children build regulation skills, while outside and having fun, they can translate these skills to help them stay regulated and ready to participate and learn when in classroom spaces. Encouraging children to stay moving while playing outside in cold temperatures will help them stay warm. Although it can be safe to play outside in cold temperatures, be sure to check kids' exposed skin for frostbite (white and numb skin) and take warming breaks inside as needed. 

Snow and Ice Conditions: The snow and ice on the ground during the winter months is a great opportunity for children to work on their gross motor skills. Walking across uneven terrain builds balance and creates stronger walkers. Even smaller children who are not yet consistent on even terrain can benefit from practicing on slippery bumpy ground. Being able to negotiate with icy ground will also build confidence in children and help them understand their own limits. Adult supervision and modeling of safe ways to traverse ice will help children feel confident in attempting this risk themselves. Being able to make some of their own safety decisions, like whether or not to take the icy route, will help them make bigger decisions in the future that take into account their specific abilities.