At Richland, our students have regular opportunities throughout the day to experience spontaneous play, where they can safely create, experiment and explore the world around them. During outdoor play, children have the opportunity to yell and run, and to experience their world through sounds, textures, smells and hands on interactions. Outdoor play is essential to motor skill development, practicing physical skills such as running, jumping and climbing. The outdoors provide endless prospects for discovery, from finding out how much sand a pail can hold to observing the changing seasons. Social development and interaction are also important aspects of outdoor play. Children learn to share, negotiate, communicate their feelings and gain independence. Friendships are also formed and developed through this type of play.