Children might learn about teamwork playing sport or a new skill likeabseiling on an adventure weekend, but during free play they getphysical exercise, social interaction, the opportunity to develop theiremotional intelligence and the chance to simply enjoy theirchildhood.
"There's a growing awareness that children need to be out and about morefor the good of their health, but children also need to be with theirfriends exploring the outdoor world in their own way," says NicolaButler, director of the Free Play Network.
Children have such structured lives nowadays that it's increasinglyacknowledged that "playing out" is an integral part of their naturalgrowth and development. As a result, the network is trying to increasepeople's understanding of what makes a good play environment, whichisn't only about swings and slides or expensive equipment. "Children canbe equally absorbed playing in leaves and mud in a natural environment,"points out Butler, who also works with schools about the practicalitiesof a less-regimented approach to play.
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