The Role of Outdoor Play in Childhood Development: Creating Educational Resources for Stakeholders
Authors:
Siobhan O’Reilly OT/s , Lisa Brukilacchio OT, MEd., Paula Jordan B.A. Sociology, Nature-Based ECE Cert.
Abstract:
Play is essential to child development, and outdoor/nature-based play offers unique benefits for meeting developmental milestones. The Somerville Community Growing Center (SCGC) provides outdoor spaces for children to engage in play. This project aimed to create educational resources for SCGC stakeholders that highlight the benefits of outdoor play and address common barriers. Using a formative evaluation approach, a state of knowledge survey was sent to identified stakeholders to guide the development of infographics, blog posts, and a comprehensive slide deck. A feedback survey was then used to revise infographics to best support stakeholder learning. The project demonstrated how occupational therapists can support advocacy and education around play as a meaningful occupation for young children.
Key Words:
Child Development, Outdoor Play, Educational Resource