outdoor recreAtion For kidS

By Rivka Cilley Columnist

My fondest memories as a child are those spent outdoors. Swinging on my grandmother’s tree swing in her backyard brought endless joy. I can still visualize myself holding tightly onto the rope as I swung high. I would look up at the leaves in the trees and feel embraced with love. Every spare moment outside my normal routine was spent outside. I rode my bicycle, roller skated, and swam with delight. I recall the joy of running as I played games with my peers. I loved to go barefoot. When I was in first grade, my family went to the beach where I collected a pile of rocks that glistened like gold in the water. I was fascinated by the wild animals, bugs, and the flowers. I held my mom in awe because of her love of plants. She had studied botany in college and knew all about plants. Although my father was not an outdoors person, he still sought out opportunities for us to participate in outdoor fun. He took us canoeing, set up a tent for outdoor play, and took us horseback riding. I grew to appreciate the quality of fun I had with my peers in the outdoors. I got to be a girl scout which gave me even more insight into how wonderful the outdoors could be. I’ll never forget my first campfire experience where we made s’mores with our marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars. In looking back, it is easy to see how important these experiences were in my development.

Research shows, outdoor play is essential to child development. Playing outside develops fine and gross motor skills, provides wonder in exploration, and develops judgement through risk-taking. Spending time playing outdoors allows children to learn how to move in their bodies. Children learn how spatial relationships work through play. How does a canoe respond when I move my arms through the water? How does mud respond when I step in it? Spending time outside allows children to learn a lot about how nature works regarding plants, animals, insects, soil, rocks, ice, and water. How does sand feel and flow? How do plants grow? How do butterflies form from a chrysalis? How do deer jump? Outdoor experiences give children opportunities to develop curiosity and sense of identity with the world. How do I fit into this big world? How does the world look from a treetop versus from the ground? How can I maneuver in climbing up a rock face? There are millions of different sensual experiences that can only be explored through nature. Children must experiment with the world of nature to find out how hard surfaces feel, how hot a rock feels that is exposed to the sun versus the shade, or how a thorn feels when I poke it against my finger. Most importantly, getting plenty of outdoor time allows children to breath in lots of fresh air, to feel fully alive and set themselves free.

My time spent outdoors exploring nature was one of the most important things I did as a child. Childhood is a time of innocence when we are cared for and provided for by others. It is a time when we have little responsibility, except to be a child. It is a sacred time set aside for us to grow, and explore, and get to know ourselves as we go from walking to running. It is a time when we get to play, laugh and just have fun. For me, outdoor time remains at the top of my priorities list. It continues to bring me joy and opportunities for expansion. I feel the most alive and happy when I am outdoors.

Rivka Cilley is a Licensed Clinical Therapist, Certified Art Teacher, and co-owner of St. Regis Canoe Outfitters.