25/11/2021
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Winter is well and truly here. The days are shorter and much more colder cold 🥶🥶🥶🥶
Getting outside to play is even more important in the winter and we try to encourage it as much as possible at nursery. So please keep an eye on the weather forecasts and send your little one to nursery prepared to play outdoors.
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🤧 🤒 A common misconception is that cold air makes children sick. Let us debunk this for you.
Cold air definitely does not make children or adults sick, granted our bodies have to work harder to keep warm but theirs no risk of sickness. With the correct clothing to protect against the elements playing outdoors in the cold weather can have many benefits.
🥶4 great reasons to play outdoors in the winter:
❄️Outdoor play in the cold strengthens the immune system.
▪️During autumn and winter, more bugs and viruses tend to circulate. This leads to few children being able to make it through the colder weather without getting ill.
▪️Winter frequently gets a bad name for making children poorly, but the key reason for contracting germs is staying indoors and around people who are unwell. With little ventilation, germs are easily circulated, making children more susceptible to viruses.
▪️Playing outdoors in the fresh, chilly, open air can boost kids’ immune systems, developing their ability to fight off infections and build resistance to allergies💪
❄️Outdoor play in the winter months helps to burn extra energy
▪️In the winter months, it’s tempting to keep children indoors, but then with that may come sedentary screen-time, or sitting for long periods. ▪️Children who are full of pent-up energy may act out in class and at home due to frustration😖
▪️The outdoor garden is an ideal environment to burn off extra energy and stop little ones from getting antsy. ▪️Children can socialise with their friends and have a blast by running, jumping and exercising key muscle groups.
▪️When playing outdoors, children can keep fit and continue developing their physical skills.
▪️Outdoor play reduces the risk of obesity by getting blood flowing to the organs, at the same time as keeping them fit and healthy.
▪️Research shows that regular outdoor breaks during the day can improve academic performance and concentration.
❄️Outdoor Play in Different Conditions Promotes Problem-Solving and Cognitive Thinking
▪️Colder weather brings lots of different and fresh challenges for young minds and offers new ways of learning.
▪️Children are encouraged to assess risks such as slippery surfaces caused by the rain and frost; they can then adapt their play to ensure safety.
▪️It also helps children to acquire new problem-solving skills and promotes cognitive thinking.
▪️Learning about the elements and nature indoors is one thing, seeing and experiencing them is another. Playing in the cold encourages children to ask and to learn about where rain comes from, or how snow is made☔️ ⛄️
Why do the leaves change colour in autumn? Why, after playing outside for 10 minutes, do they feel much warmer than they initially did?
▪️Playing outside in different weather conditions delivers a new found appreciation of nature.
❄️Outdoor Play in the Winter Boosts Vitamin D levels and Uplifts Mood
▪️During the winter, we have a small window of opportunity to be exposed to sunlight and increase our vitamin D levels.
▪️Research shows that exposure to sunlight provides essential vitamin D, which regulates mental and emotional moods, increases energy and sharpens memory. In as little as 15 minutes of playing outside, children can get their daily dosage of vitamin D.
▪️As a society, we must revise our way of seeing winter as a time for children to spend less time outdoors.
▪️By trying to protect them from colder weather, we are doing the opposite and hindering their learning.
Top tips:
❄️Layers are key
❄️Thermals under their uniform is ideal
❄️Make sure your outerwear is waterproof and breathable - check your label - this helps prevent trapping moisture
❄️A good pair of gloves🧤 and a hat makes a lot of difference
❄️Little feet in wellies can get cold, layer up with socks and insoles or even wool - makes cheaper boots much warmer
Let's encourage a love of outdoors in our children, building healthy habits for their future.
