Why is park play important?
Parks and playgrounds help your child’s development in so many ways, and sharing the experience alongside your child is a perfect opportunity to build their confidence and vocabulary!
Benefits:
- Learning new words: the names of trees, insects, birds etc.
- Developing gross and fine motor skills: climbing to the top of the climbing frame, pushing teddy on the swing, kicking a ball in the grass, collecting sticks, or picking daisies  Â
- Social interaction: playing alongside other children, taking turns to go on the slide or swing
- Managing risks: climbing a tree, zooming along a zipwire, or splashing through puddles.
Top tips:
- Praise and encourage your child: it will give them the confidence to carry on and give things a go
- Comment on what your child is doing: it will help them make a connection between what they are doing and the words you are saying – for example ‘you are pushing teddy on the swing’, ‘ready steady go…..down the slide’, ‘splash splash in the puddles’, ‘you are jumping in the puddles’
- During weekends and school holidays: try out new parks and playgrounds in your local area for a free, fun and low-cost activity
