How to Nurture Your Child’s Physical and Creative Development

In recent years, children’s screen time has significantly increased while opportunities for outdoor play and active movement have declined. However, numerous international studies have shown that outdoor play is essential for a child’s overall growth and development. Time spent outdoors has a profound positive impact on physical health, creative thinking, emotional balance, and overall well-being.

1. Promotes Physical Health and Active Lifestyles

Regular physical activity helps prevent obesity and supports healthy muscle, bone, and cardiovascular development. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children aged 5–17 should engage in at least 60 minutes of active movement daily. For children aged 6–10, especially boys, the brain regions that control movement are highly active, making running and jumping a natural and necessary part of their growth. Outdoor play enhances metabolism, boosts energy levels, and strengthens the body making time on the playground one of the most valuable investments in your child’s health.

2. Protects Eye Health

With the rapid rise in screen use, childhood myopia (nearsightedness) has become a global concern. Extended exposure to digital screens can cause visual strain and fatigue. Research from the University of Sydney shows that children who spend two to three hours outdoors each day reduce their risk of myopia by up to 50%. Natural sunlight helps relax the eye muscles and supports healthy visual development, making outdoor play one of the most effective ways to protect children’s eyesight.

3. Supports Emotional Well-being

Being outdoors is more than play — it’s therapy for the mind. Exposure to nature increases serotonin and endorphin levels, reducing stress, irritability, and anxiety. Studies show that children who play outside daily have more stable moods, better focus, and improved sleep patterns. Time in nature also gives the brain a chance to rest from digital overstimulation, helping children develop confidence, self-regulation, and emotional resilience.

4. Enhances Cognitive and Creative Development

When children use natural materials — sand, wood, stones, and water — to build their own “worlds of play,” they are unknowingly strengthening problem-solving skills, language development, and imagination. A study by the University of Toronto found that children who play freely outdoors show 30% higher creativity compared to those who play indoors. Learning in natural settings encourages curiosity, innovation, and even better academic performance.

5. Builds Social Skills and Teamwork

Outdoor play fosters social interaction and teamwork. By playing with others, making decisions together, resolving conflicts, and building trust, children naturally learn communication, leadership, empathy, and cooperation. Research indicates that children who engage in group outdoor play exhibit fewer behavioral problems and stronger interpersonal skills.

Encouraging outdoor play is one of the most valuable investments parents can make in their child’s health, happiness, and holistic development. Gradually reducing screen time and replacing it with outdoor activities — walking, cycling, or playing with friends — helps raise healthier, more confident, and well-balanced individuals. However, studies reveal that 40% of children aged 3–5 spend less than one hour outdoors per day, missing out on these essential benefits.

A Better Environment for Growing Families at GARDEN CITY

By choosing GARDEN CITY, you are choosing a community thoughtfully designed for family well-being. The development features seven themed playgrounds tailored to different age groups, a basketball court, and the largest green parkland in its district — all safely separated from vehicle traffic. Within walking distance, residents enjoy access to on-site schools, kindergartens, and essential retail and services, creating a safe, convenient, and enriching environment for every member of the family.

Now open for pre-orders in Building No. 1403, offering 2- to 4-bedroom apartments ranging from 40 to 97 m² — the final phase of the GARDEN CITY residential project.

For more information, please contact our Sales Department at +976 7507-1166.