Nature-inspired play areas aim to increase curiosity, physical activity among SC children

GILBERT, SC (WOLO) — As part of the “Grow Outdoors South Carolina” initiative, four organizations are working together to create nature-inspired outdoor play and learning spaces.

South Carolina’s DSS and DHEC are teaming up with the National Wildlife Federation’s Early Childhood Health Outdoors (aka ECHO) and NC State University’s Natural Learning Initiative in hopes of inspiring kids to have a connection with nature and look forward to going outside.

The naturalized outdoor play areas are meant to strike curiosity, creativity, and lots of physical activity among young learners.

Michael Flynn’s four-year-old son Colin attends the Mega Child Development Center — which was chosen as one of seven demonstration sites across the state.

“It’s extremely important to me because we want him to grow up to be able to do whatever he wants. You know, if he wants to grow up to be an athlete, I want him to be able to do that. If he wants to be anything else, I want him to have a healthy life. So being active is extremely important for a happy healthy life, and I know that I try to stay active as much as possible, but an early start is a good thing for sure,” says Flynn.

Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC’s Agency Director, says that early start also helps address childhood obesity, and cuts back on too much screen time on digital devices.

“Forty-two percent of South Carolina public school students ages five to 18 are overweight or obese, and more than half, 57% do not meet the minimum cardiac standards,” says Simmer.

Janice Ironside is the Director and Owner of Mega.

“They learn through doing, and we see that their motor skills develop so much quicker, their communication skills are enhanced, their partnerships with their friends are enhanced, and they just learn different skills from when they’re inside,” Ironside says.

“A lot of the challenging behavior that sometimes childcare providers and parents experience can go away if you let them go run outside. Just get their energy out and have a good ole time outdoors, and it’s been a real benefit for them just to knock down those challenging behaviors,” says Michele Bowers, DSS’s Division Director for Early Care and Education.

Each of the seven demonstration sites chosen by “Grow Outdoors South Carolina” received seed grant funding and technical support to help enhance their outdoor play space.

The next group of childcare centers to participate are currently being selected.