What is one of the social benefits of outdoor play for children?

Outdoor play offers numerous social benefits for children, and one significant benefit is the improvement of verbal communication skills. When children engage in outdoor activities, they often work in groups or pairs, which encourages them to interact and communicate with one another. Through play, they learn to express their ideas, negotiate rules, and articulate their feelings, all of which enhance their ability to verbalize thoughts effectively. This interaction helps develop their confidence in speaking with peers and adults, leading to better social skills and relationships.

In contrast, the other options suggest negative aspects that do not align with the fundamental benefits of outdoor play. Reducing opportunities for cooperation, inhibiting social interactions, and increasing competition among peers detract from the collaborative and cooperative experiences that outdoor play typically fosters, making them less applicable to the positive social development that occurs during such activities.