11/23/2025
"We have to develop a society that understands play, and the many good things it does for children's brains and minds." - Dr. Jaak Panksepp
Outdoor play is the ultimate occupation. There are numerous benefits -- especially when done with other children! š
Here is just one:
It optimizes volition. Outdoor play taps into a child's intrinsic motivation systems, setting up the brain for sensory integration (organization of the brain). Children will more likely to do hard things, overcome fears, regulate emotions, engage in new play scenarios, deal with conflict, and challenge themselves in other ways never anticipated or expected.
For example, a child that may not normally want to get dirty, may willingly walk into giant mud puddles when they see other children catching frogs. Another child that typically does not engage in construction or STEM projects in a classroom setting, may willingly build a forts with other children out in the woods. The list can go on and on....
That choice, that motivation to explore & play, can trump their fears, anxieties, apathy, disinterest, and more. As they continue to overcome challenges and test their limits in play, they get more and more confident and develop a strong sense of self.
Outdoor play is a priceless occupation. One that we must defend!
