The Effects of Unstructured Outdoor Play on Child Development

• 영문명: The Effects of Unstructured Outdoor Play on Child Development
• 발행기관: 한국공공가치학회
• 저자명: Angela Onyu Lee Ji Eun Chang
• 간행물 정보: 『Journal of Public Value』Vol. 7, 67~76쪽, 전체 10쪽
• 주제분류: 사회과학 > 사회복지학
• 파일형태: PDF
• 발행일자: 2024.06.30

국문 초록

Purpose: This paper explores unstructured outdoor play to remedy the developmental deficits associated with parental hyper-involvement and increasing reliance on indoor education, particularly amidst the backdrop of evolving scientific technology and excessive media consumption. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has further enhanced concerns following these deficits by diminishing children's independent mobility, thus putting weight on the importance of implementing interventions that promote autonomy and resilience. Method: This research project employs a qualitative methodology, focusing on literature review. The literature review involves a comprehensive evaluation of scholarly publications on outdoor play and self-directed play behaviour in children and animals, examining the evolutionary significance and developmental benefits of unstructured outdoor play. Future studies should conduct a systematic review investigating the diverse effects of unstructured outdoor play on children, taking into account variations in gender and cultural backgrounds, to further enhance the findings of this study. Results: Literature suggests the outdoors as a promising learning environment which has a significant impact on every aspect of child development, helping them unleash their full potential. By testing their limits and fostering heightened body awareness, self-directed outdoor play contributes to raising safer kids through developing resilience and improving physical and emotional health. The ever-changing outdoor environment provides a variety of manipulative materials, stimulating children's creativity and imagination. In addition, outdoor activities encourage social play which requires children to engage in common goal-oriented problem-solving. Rooted in survival-promoting functioning, this naturally allows children to practice empathy. Conclusion: Unstructured outdoor play equips children with the necessary life skills to navigate unpredictable life challenges with flexibility, thereby empowering them to lead successful lives. The insights from this literature review can inform the development of intervention models to be integrated into educational practices globally, slowly paving the way to form new models of education bound to be beneficial for the next generations of children.

목차

1. Introduction

2. Benefits for Children’s Physical Development

3. Benefits for Children’s Cognitive Development

4. Benefits for Children’s Social Development

5. Conclusion

6. Limitations

7. References

키워드

Outdoor play Child-directed play Early Childhood Education Resilience Autonomy Child development