On your bike: outdoor play in Irish 5 year olds

Abstract

Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), children have the right to play (UNCRC, 1989 Article 31) and the importance of outdoor play has been well-documented (Bento and Dias, 2017). From a physical and psychological perspective, playful opportunities are essential for healthy growth, development and overall well-being (Pellegrini and Smith, 1998). Physical play supports the development of muscle tone, gross and fine motor skills and is an important factor in healthy weight maintenance, as play is exercise. Play is also key for aspects of cognitive, socio-emotional development and well-being such as self-regulation, resilience, nurturing friendships and encouraging creativity, problem-solving and communication (Whitebread, 2010; Zigler, Singer and Bishop-Joseph, 2006). Additionally, play has an impact for children in terms of adapting and co-constructing their environments, identity and operating across adaptive systems (Lester and Russell, 2008). If children are viewed as active agents (Prout, 2005), play gives independence, control, opportunities to challenge and take risks (Tovey, 2011).