Going to the park with kids is something parents do practically every day.parks are the perfect place to exercise. Just by playing, they´re running around and probably getting as much exercise as you do at the gym. Being outdoors is also the first step to enjoying and learning to take care of nature. Outdoor play can also mean more mess – and more mess often means more fun! While children consider it to be one of the best activities, parents also enjoy watching their children have fun. When your child is outside, he probably has more space and freedom for big movements, like running, jumping, kicking and throwing. Physical activities like these are good for his health, fitness and physical development. When they´re on swings, for example, it improves their physical and mental development.
Being in an open-air environment, different to being inside at home or at school, is wonderful in and of itself but if the park has sand, fountains, jungle gyms, grass and trees, children tend to explore, wonder and let their imaginations soar. Every corner is a new place to discover. A pile of dirt can become a castle; a stick turns into a magic wand and a slide, a majestic waterfall. The park is one of the first places where children begin to play with others. They learn to share, wait their turn and respect other kids. And just in case they misbehave, parents are there to remind them what´s right and wrong.
Climbing or going down a slide enables children to have a better sense of their body in relation to what surrounds them. As they play, they learn to control their arms and legs and avoid falling. Jumping, running, and climbing also allows them to better understand important concepts such as distance and space.
A park is also a wonderful place for parents to improve their relationships with their children, as there is more time, no barriers and no distractions like the ones we have at home, including the TV or the computer. Seen from a child´s perspective, the park is like going on an adventure. A swing, for example, offers them a challenge and the more they learn, the better they feel about themselves. A park is also a place where they take on new risks and learn to overcome their fears. That´s why it´s important to supervise them but also allow let them make mistakes and learn how cause and effect works. If going to the park is part of your daily routine, you might want to use it to motivate your children to get organized. Saying things like: “Once you finish picking up your toys, we´ll go the park” are very effective.
