Importance of Outdoor Play

Our stance

Alongside our course lessons on English literacy, Japanese, science, math, and music, if the weather permits, we always bring our students outside to the nearby park to conduct our physical exercises, fun lessons of the day, and finally, some free outdoor play. All of us at Four Leaves International School Tokyo know the importance of outdoor play. To shape not only healthy minds, but bodies too. Similar to our dancing and singing lessons on the first floor of our building, it’s always a fun time for students to go down the slides, run around the equipment, go on the see-saw, or even observe the nature all around them–fueling their curiosity.

A Healthy Body

Fostering a healthy body is important to all of us at Four Leaves International School Tokyo. Alongside the times when they can “let loose” when partaking in outdoor play, they are truly left to their own, with teachers being an observer of them or a follower of those students looking for assistance for tasks they can not do on their own. We at Four Leaves International School Tokyo see playing outside as a fun way for our students to learn about themselves, bring out their own knowledge, and create worlds where they are free to transform them. Not to mention, it helps build motor skills as well that can be applied ot not just to the classroom, but life itself. (Ouvry and Furtado, 2020) 

Well-being

Outdoor play also incorporates itself closely with one’s well-being. As they are on their own, the outdoors lends itself to the positive effects of nature. Exposure to sunlight naturally provides vitamin D, which helps build calcium in our bones to stay healthy. And of course, the natural elements and open air only help to reinforce this, as they also play a part in building a stronger immune system and promote physical activity even more with our bodies' release of Endorphins.

While not physically seen, outdoor play “promotes cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being.” (Bento and Dias, 2017). It gives them a chance to experiment freely and go through moments of failure and moments of success–an important foundation for any young mind to have as they grow.

Concerns

Sadly, compared to the past when outdoor play was more ingrained and present in schools all over the world, it has seen a decline, with academics being weighed more, and general safety concerns from parents. As for safety, it makes sense, as parents want their child to be safe, which leads to outdoor play being minimized or to lose its point entirely with helicopter monitoring from teachers. While it would be no doubt for a small handful of teachers or staff to watch over a bunch of students, it hampers their foundation for personal well-being for their future. Compared to previous generations, kids are less happy, less happy as observed from a spokesman from the Department of Education, as quoted in a BBC article. At Four Leaves International School Tokyo, we hear these concerns and reassure parents that our students are never in danger, and if they get hurt from falling or playground equipment, we are there to brush up any wounds and reassure them that everything will be okay. From our doors to the park, and back inside again, we always watch out for each other, students all holding hands, one teacher in the front guiding them, and one more in the back. We make sure to watch for cars, walk always on the sidewalk, and check our corners before making a turn. Not only do we watch out for any hazards, but we also always make sure our students are aware of their surroundings while being able to have fun when out.

References

Bento, G., & Dias, G. (2017). The importance of outdoor play for young children’s Healthy Development. Porto Biomedical Journal, 2(5), 157–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbj.2017.03.003 

Ouvry, M., & Furtado, A. (2020). Exercising muscles and minds: Outdoor play and the Early Years curriculum. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. 

Stephens, D. (2025, February 24). “anti-play culture” limits children’s’ time outside, report finds. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czednjy7wlxo