The Power of Outdoor Play: How 3+ Hours Daily Can Transform Your Child's School Readiness

Children playing in a park

As parents and educators, we are constantly seeking ways to give our children the best start in life. A recent study involving over 10,000 preschoolers has found that outdoor play is strongly linked to school readiness and child development.

Research Findings

Published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, this comprehensive study examined 10,682 preschoolers aged 3-5 years across the United States. The findings show clear connections between outdoor play and child development.

The Importance of 3 Hours Daily

Here's what the research revealed about outdoor play patterns:

• Only 33% of preschoolers get more than 3 hours of outdoor play on weekdays

• This jumps to 57% at weekends

• Children who achieved 3+ hours of daily outdoor play showed significantly better outcomes across all areas of school readiness

Four Pillars of School Success

The study measured school readiness through four critical domains, and outdoor play positively impacted them all:

1. Early Learning Skills

Children with more outdoor play time demonstrated stronger foundational academic abilities, including better performance in areas like rhyming and pre-literacy skills that form the building blocks of future learning.

2. Self-Regulation

The ability to manage emotions, control impulses, and focus attention – all crucial for classroom success – was notably stronger in children who spent more time playing outdoors.

3. Social-Emotional Development

Outdoor play naturally creates opportunities for children to interact with others, navigate social situations, and develop the emotional intelligence needed for positive relationships.

4. Flourishing

This encompasses a child's curiosity for learning, resilience, attachment to parents, and overall contentment with life – all essential ingredients for thriving in school and beyond.

Why Outdoor Play Works So Well

The research suggests several reasons why outdoor environments are uniquely beneficial:

Natural Movement Opportunities: Outdoor spaces encourage the kind of unstructured physical activity that supports brain development and executive functioning.

Reduced Screen Time: Time spent outdoors naturally limits exposure to electronic devices, which can interfere with social skill development when overused.

Social Interaction: Outdoor play provides rich opportunities for children to practise interpersonal skills in natural, low-pressure settings.

Nature's Therapeutic Effect: Natural environments have been shown to support self-regulation skills and overall cognitive development.

The Weekend vs. Weekday Challenge

One of the study's notable findings was the difference between weekday and weekend outdoor play. This gap represents an opportunity for families and early childhood programmes to consider daily routines.

Consider this: If 3+ hours of outdoor play can support school readiness, this suggests we should consider prioritising it alongside other educational activities.

Practical Steps for Parents and Educators

For Families:

• Start small: Begin by adding 30 minutes of outdoor time to your daily routine

• Make it routine: Treat outdoor play as non-negotiable as meals or bedtime

• Lead by example: Join your children outside – your engagement makes it more valuable

• Think beyond the backyard: Parks, nature trails, and even outdoor sidewalk activities count

For Educators:

• Advocate for outdoor time: Push for policies that prioritise outdoor play in early childhood programmes

• Weather-proof your programming: Invest in appropriate clothing and equipment for year-round outdoor activities

• Document the benefits: Track and share improvements you see in children who get regular outdoor time

The Long-Term Investment

This research reminds us that school readiness is not just about academic preparation – it is about developing the whole child. The cognitive, social, and emotional benefits of outdoor play create a foundation that supports not just reception entry, but lifelong learning and well-being.

When we invest in outdoor play time, we are investing in:

• Better academic performance

• Stronger social relationships

• Improved emotional regulation

• Enhanced physical health

• Greater life satisfaction

Moving Forward

The research suggests that outdoor play is important for child development. As we balance academic preparation with other activities, this study provides evidence for the value of outdoor time in supporting children's overall development.

This research suggests we should consider outdoor play as an important part of early childhood development.

This blog post is based on research by Zhu, W., et al. (2024). "Nature and success: Outdoor play is linked to school readiness." Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.

More Curricular is an educational resource provider offering evidence-based courses and workshops focused on learning to learn and developing essential skills that complement the school curriculum.