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Research Overview
Original Paper Title: Time Spent Outdoors During Preschool: Links with Children's Cognitive and Behavioral Development
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2017.05.007
Authors: Vidar Ulset, Frank Vitaro, Mara Brendgen, Mona Bekkhus, Anne I.H. Borge
Journal of Publication: Journal of Environmental Psychology
Year of Publication: 2017
The great outdoors have always held a special place in our lives, offering countless benefits like improved physical health and mental well-being. But have you ever wondered whether more time spent outdoors could translate to better developmental outcomes for children? A fascinating Norwegian study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in 2017 delved into this very question. Over the course of four years, researchers closely monitored the development of more than 500 preschool children. Their findings unveiled a significant correlation between outdoor playtime and enhanced cognitive skills, coupled with a reduction in inattention and hyperactivity symptoms, the common traits often connected to ADHD. In a time when attention spans are dwindling and ADHD diagnoses are on the rise, this study sheds light on how we might need to rethink what children should be doing and how they should be learning during their early years.
What questions did the researchers try to answer?
The study set out to address three key research questions:
Is there a connection between how much time preschool children spend outdoors at daycare and their current and future cognitive development and behaviour?
Does spending more time outdoors mean better cognitive-behavioural development, or is there a specific amount of time that is optimal for development?
Do boys and girls benefit differently from outdoor time in terms of development, considering differences in their needs for physical activity and social interactions?
How was the research conducted?
The researchers adopted a longitudinal approach, tracking the development of preschool children over a span of four years. They collected data from over 500 children attending various daycare centres across Norway. The children's outdoor playtime at daycare was documented, and their cognitive development and behavioural symptoms were assessed using standardized measures each year.
What did they find?
This study yielded several crucial findings:
A significant and positive association emerged between the amount of time children spent outdoors at daycare and their cognitive skills from age 4 onward.
An inverse relationship was observed between outdoor playtime at daycare and children's symptoms of inattention-hyperactivity from age 4 onward, suggesting that increased outdoor playtime could lead to a reduction in these symptoms.
Importantly, these findings remained consistent even after accounting for various confounding factors, highlighting the robust link between outdoor playtime and children's cognitive and behavioural development.
Children attending daycares with an average of 3 hours of daily outdoor play maintained a consistent level of inattention-hyperactivity symptoms from ages 3 to 7. In contrast, children attending daycares with an average of 7 hours of daily outdoor play exhibited a decrease in these symptoms from ages 3 to 5, maintaining low levels at age 6 before experiencing a slight increase at age 7.
Notably, there were no significant gender-based differences in how outdoor playtime influenced the children's development.
What Does This All Mean?
The study's findings paint a compelling picture: children who spend more time outdoors tend to exhibit enhanced cognitive skills and fewer issues with attention and hyperactivity from ages 3 to 7. Importantly, these positive effects apply to all children, irrespective of gender, family background, or daycare quality.
Direct Insights for Your Decision-Making
Here's how you can apply these insights to your decision-making:
For Parents: Incorporate more nature into your child's daily routine. Consider childcare options such as forest schools or outdoor daycares to promote cognitive and behavioural development. If you opt for traditional child care, look for options that provide more than 3 hours of daily outdoor time to best support your child’s development. Always encourage outdoor play to nurture your child’s cognitive and behavioural growth.
For Educators: Incorporate more outdoor activities into your preschool programs. Move indoor activities like crafts and story time to the outside. Aim for a minimum of 3 hours of outdoor activity daily, as more outdoor time is linked to better child developmental outcomes.
For Healthcare Practitioners: Advocate for outdoor activities as part of child development strategies. Encourage parents to include outdoor time as a means of managing inattention and hyperactivity in children.
For Policy Makers: Support policies that prioritize outdoor spaces in early childhood education. Recognize the crucial role of outdoor time in child development and endorse non-traditional, outdoor-based childcare options for their potential benefits.
This Norwegian study serves as a vital compass guiding us towards understanding the profound and enduring benefits of outdoor play in the cognitive and behavioural development of preschoolers. It underscores how nature can play an integral role in nurturing young minds, enhancing memory and attention, and reducing hyperactivity. While it's essential to approach these findings with caution due to the complexity of factors influencing child development, the research undeniably highlights the significance of outdoor play in shaping our youngest generation's development. The message is clear: the great outdoors can be a powerful ally in nurturing the future of our children.
Side Note to Parents: I fully understand the challenges many of you face in balancing time constraints and limited childcare options, while also being hesitant to suggest changes in your current childcare arrangements. It's a complex situation that numerous parents navigate daily. My suggestion is to remain vigilant for new opportunities. The emergence of outdoor forest schools, now increasingly available during weekdays and weekends, offers promising alternatives and additions to traditional child care. Relying on family and friends for transportation might seem far-fetched, but remember, many more people nowadays have the luxury of working remotely, and with more options popping up, new possibilities often arise unexpectedly. While the perfect solution may not be immediately apparent, it's worth exploring various avenues for your child's benefit. We all strive for the best outcomes for our children, and I'm optimistic that suitable options will present themselves. Should you wish to discuss this further, please feel free to reach out. I'm always eager to share insights on this topic and provide any assistance possible.
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