This study examines the challenges early childhood educators face in promoting unstructured outdoor play

Unstructured outdoor play ( UOP ) has been recognized for its beneficial impacts on children’s healthy development, including improved physical, mental, and emotional health.

Early learning and childcare centers (ELCCs) can be essential settings for UOP , with educators playing a vital role.

However, educators face numerous barriers in promoting UOP in early childhood education.

This study is particularly informative as it examines the challenges of promoting UOP from an ecological systems perspective.

It provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between various factors influencing educators’ ability to support UOP .

The study offers practical recommendations for addressing identified barriers at each ecological system level.

Suggested Socratic questions for a college class to discuss this paper: How might cultural differences in risk perception influence the implementation of unstructured outdoor play in early childhood education settings? How might the challenges identified in this study differ in rural or extreme climate settings? What are the potential long-term consequences of limiting children’s access to outdoor play? How can we balance safety concerns with developmental benefits of risky play?.