Play is vital to proper growth for early learners. It helps to develop coordination and motor skills, cognitive skills, social intelligence, language, and a lot more. Without it, those skills can be severely underdeveloped. A great place for early learners to play is the playground at a local school or park. 

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education have proclaimed that there are definite amounts of physical activity that early learners should get every day. Toddlers should have at least 30 minutes of exercise and early learners ages three to five should have 60 minutes daily. Children should have access to play areas that will help them to become physically stronger and develop eye-hand coordination. With overhead and climbing equipment to build strength and balance and swings for developing coordination, playground equipment is a great place for early learners to spend their daily exercise time. 

In addition to the improved motor skills and muscle strength, playing on playground equipment can improve overall health, leads to better quality sleep and has been shown to provide many other mental and social benefits. Besides, everything is better when we are outside!  

What makes it even better is that in most cases playgrounds are open to the general public and are absolutely free! There is no need to sign up for structured activities. It is just open play where the early learner’s creativity is in charge. Some of my favorite parenting memories are of taking my kids to the city park and turning them loose to play. When you supervise/interact with your early learner while they play and explore, it is amazing how fast an hour will go by!