We value the outdoors as a space where children can be free of the confines of the classroom, somewhere for making noise, mess, running, jumping & exploring. Outdoor play and learning offer a different perspective, inspiring awe and wonder, which appeal to children's natural curiosity.
Here are five fabulous outdoor learning ideas you might like to use in your early years setting:
1. Loose parts learning
Stimulate imagination and provide opportunities for sensory exploration by using upcycled resources for loose parts play. Ask your learners to create a large vehicle by combining crates, tiny tyres, and steering wheels and see how long they can make it!
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2. Can you build it?
Building is an essential element to your continuous outdoor provision. Let your adventurous builders team up together and construct whatever they have in mind whilst working on practising gross motor and problem solving skills.
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3. Nature nook
Encourage learners to read books or have a general chit-chat outdoors by creating your very own communication space. Reading and spending time in nature have proven to improve mental health and reduce anxiety and stress. As a starting point for your outdoor space, you could place wooden containers within the arch for children to use as seats.
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4. Thread it!
Encourage children to use logic and mathematical skills with the Cosy Playground Counting Rings. The stumps help children practice counting and number recognition while allowing them to get involved in an interactive activity designed to fixate the lesson. It's also a great way for young learners to practice fine motor skills as they carefully thread rings onto each stump.
What you'll need:
- Giant Playground Counting Rings - D43794
5. Let's get physical
Physical activity is essential to help children build strength through exercising muscles within the body. Learning to move, climb, catch, throw and coordinate in a controlled outdoor environment is especially useful for development. Monkey bars are a fantastic way for older children to practice gross and fine motor skills as they grip their hands on each bar and use their muscles to get to the other end.
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These activities have been taken from Little Learners, a FREE magazine full of early years resources and activities. Click here to read our latest issue!
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