With screen time now dominating children’s playtime, studies have made one thing absolutely clear: outdoor play plays a huge role in boosting young children’s cognitive development. A study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology discovered that regular exposure to outdoors can enhance cognitive development in preschoolers by as much as 20%. Improved attention span, problem-solving ability, memory, and language skills are among the cognitive improvements.
At Hitchcock Woods Early Learning Center, that’s not just theory—it’s practice every day. With its long-standing commitment to experiential and outdoor learning, Hitchcock Woods created programs that weave outdoor play in as a cornerstone of early learning.
The Science Behind Outdoor Play and Brain Development
Outdoor environments provide a dynamic and multisensory experience that fosters cognitive growth in ways that indoor classrooms often cannot. According to a 2022 report by the American Academy of Pediatrics:
Children who engage in at least 60 minutes of outdoor play per day demonstrate significantly higher levels of executive function, including planning, focus, and self-regulation.
Interaction with nature reduces stress and supports emotional well-being, which is linked to better learning outcomes.
Children in nature-dense preschools perform as much as 20% better on cognitive tests, especially in problem-solving and creative thinking.
These facts validate the deliberate planning of programs at Hitchcock Woods, where outdoor learning is integrated into the experience of every child.
How Hitchcock Woods Integrates Nature into Early Learning
- Daily Outdoor Sessions for All Age Groups
From the Infant Room to the Kindergarten Readiness program, every classroom plans dedicated outdoor time on a daily basis. Infants experience fresh air and sensory stimulation in safe outdoor spaces, while toddlers and preschoolers engage in structured and free-play activities, including nature walks, sandbox play, and gardening. - Thematic Outdoor Learning
Pre-K and Preschool children discover nature through weekly themes—like “Bugs and Butterflies” or “Weather Wonders”—that make the outdoors a living classroom. This enhances the incorporation of science, language arts, and motor development within one unified learning environment. - Social-Emotional Development through Group Play
As per the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), outdoor group play helps improve children’s skills to cooperate and resolve conflicts. Hitchcock Woods promotes team-oriented outdoor games and fantasy play, building empathy, leadership, and resilience.
Conclusion: Nature Is the Ultimate Classroom
With evidence verifying that outdoor play can enhance cognitive development by as much as 20%, it’s obvious that learning spaces need to change beyond the conventional classroom. Hitchcock Woods Early Learning Center is at the forefront by incorporating daily outdoor discovery into its curriculum, allowing children to not only academically develop, but emotionally and physically as well.
By selecting a center that respects nature and active learning, families are investing in more than care—they’re investing in whole-child development that lasts a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Which age groups at Hitchcock Woods have outdoor learning?
A: All age groups, from infants through kindergarteners, experience structured and supervised outdoor playtime daily.
Q2: Is outdoor play offered year-round?
A: Yes, Hitchcock Woods promotes outdoor play in every season, modifying activities and clothing as necessary for safety and comfort.
Q3: How much time is spent outdoors per day by children?
A: Though varying by age, most classes have a minimum of 60–90 minutes of outdoor time per day, usually divided between morning and afternoon periods.
Q4: Are the outdoor experiences educational or simply free play?
A: Both. Outdoor time consists of structured, curriculum-specific lessons and open-ended play that promotes creativity and problem-solving.
Q5: How does nature-based learning promote academic readiness?
A: Research indicates children who are exposed to outdoor learning environments achieve higher levels in reading, math, and science. Nature-based play also increases attention span and classroom behavior.
Resources
Journal of Environmental Psychology – “Cognitive Benefits of Nature-Based Play in Preschoolers”
www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-environmental-psychology
American Academy of Pediatrics – “Benefits of Outdoor Play in Childhood”
www.aap.org/en/patient-care/outdoor-play/
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – “Learning Outdoors”
www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/outdoor-play
Hitchcock Woods Early Learning Center – Our Programs
www.hitchcockwoodsctr.com/our-programs
