Babies Outdoors: Introduction (01:01)

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The outdoor environment provides countless learning opportunities for babies. This film will follow five babies increasing in age during the first year and examine how nature stimulates their growing brains.

Miles: Six Weeks (01:37)

Miles lies on a blanket under a tree. Hear examples of how the outdoor environment provides sensory stimulation for learning about the world.

Bobby: Three Months (03:19)

Bobby's senses are alert; sound is most developed. Her mother helps activate her learning systems through language. She is interested in visual contrasts and edges.

Bobby: Five Months (04:32)

Bobby looks longer at things and finds movement interesting to watch. She enjoys rough and tumble play and babbles in response to stimulation. She is starting to reach out and grab objects.

Bobby: Seven Months (10:14)

Bobby can divide her visual attention and grasp her feet; movements are more coordinated. Time on her belly strengthens muscles for crawling. She is learning to sit and explore objects. Contrast sensory stimulation in garden and urban environments.

Ko: Nine Months (09:53)

Ko has advanced vision and focal ability. Crawling and play stimulate vestibular and proprioceptive senses; picking daisies develops fine motor skills. Ko's mother scaffolds his development with emotional and physical support. Hiding games reinforce object permanence.

Lucas: Eleven Months (07:05)

Lucas attends daycare, where he crawls and experiences different surfaces. He offers objects to others, plays in the dirt, and experiments with tools and materials.

Dexter: Nine Months (02:40)

Some babies need more frequent active stimulation than others for optimal neurological development. Dexter experiences the snow and bonds with his father.

Dexter: Eleven Months (02:52)

Dexter has recently learned to walk; a secure attachment enables him to leave his mother's side. He uses a made-up word to identify animals and follows his mother's gaze when she points out something.

Dexter: Twelve Months (07:22)

Dexter categorizes animals as "baps." His mother collects shells and sticks for him to play with, extending his experience of sand. He learns about different surfaces by walking and crawling. Hear why babies need outdoor play for development.

Credits: Babies Outdoors: Play, Development, and Learning (00:55)

Credits: Babies Outdoors: Play, Development, and Learning