On the other hand, children who are not helped, inspired, encouraged, or given the chance to develop a deep love of outdoor play are becoming more and more cut off from nature, which is detrimental to them, (Whittle, 2016).
Children who don't engage in outdoor play frequently lead sedentary lives and are at risk. The phrase "nature deficit disorder" was created by American social commentator Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, to identify children who are removed from nature as a medical condition. According to Louv (2005), nature deficit disorder symptoms include depression, hyperactivity, boredom, and loneliness. Reduced motor development as well as poorer mental and psychological health, including inability to pay attention, study, or be creative, may also be symptoms, (Louv, 2005, cited in Whittle. 2016).
Because of this, play is a child's primary means of learning and creating. It can also be referred to as thinking time for young children, language time, problem-solving time, memory time, planning time, and researching time, (de Witt, 2021).
It is also a time for idea organization, when a young child responds to stimuli by using all of his abilities, including his body, mind, and social skills, (Hymes, 1968:84, cited in de Witt 2021:146).
Playing with a small child is not a carefree hobby. The least desirable aspect is that it's not usually a period of frantic, yelling activity but rather involves intense concentration, (de Witt, 2021).