Outdoor and Nature Play in Early Childhood Education

Outdoor and Nature Play in Early Childhood Education

There are different methods and techniques used by teachers all over when it comes to early childhood education. One on the most interesting type of early childhood education is outdoor play.

This is such a fun way for kids to learn. What kid doesn’t want to feel like an explorer in a jungle?

In the modern day, it is often too dangerous for kids to play outside until the sun sets. It is very important for teachers and parents to make time for outdoor play. Kids should be given the opportunity to experience the outdoors in different weather conditions safely. It is important for their teacher to make sure they are all safe when they do go outside. Learners should be prepared for what to expect and what to do in case of possible danger. The teacher should also go through the rules of going outside and ask learners to repeat those rules.

Children are natural scientists and the outdoors is the perfect place for them to experiment with nature and how the natural world works. Nature can help them make the connections in understanding things like where water comes from, how plants grow, where insects live or what they can find underneath a rock.

They learn about their bodies, walking on uneven ground develops their balance, climbing a tree builds muscle and teaches them about risks. Mud and mess can teach them about control and swimming emerges them into part of the natural world.

Big open spaces are good for big feelings; children can use these outdoor spaces to express themselves by shouting or running. Nature play releases serotonin, which is the happy hormone.

The natural world develops more sophisticated neuron pathways in the brain due to its complex patterns. This leads to better language development. The natural outdoor light helps children’s eyes develop better.

Playing and learning outdoors creates a connection between children and nature, therefore making them care more about the earth and all its creations.

Children feel more free and expressive when they are outside of the classroom. Nature can often inspire them with its colours and shapes, so a great art activity could be done outside. Let them draw what they see all around them.

The outdoors can also be used to do dramatic play. Learners can play out real life activities like camping or planning a picnic. They could pretend to be explorers by going on a treasure hunt that the teacher sets up.

It does not take a lot of effort to create conducive outdoor activities. Children can also help the teacher take materials they may need outside. These could include activities like finding different colours in nature or they could collect different sized rocks to use in a different activity in class. They could be sent outside to search for different bugs and write down their physical characteristics. Learners could also be given the opportunity to garden by themselves. Some learners may not be entertained by the outdoor activities and may prefer to sit quietly in the shade, so the teacher can create a space where these learners can go sit and read or draw, as long as they get to experience different senses of the outdoors. Teachers can also make it easier for themselves by having prepacked baskets ready for outdoor play, or have the learners help set up the activities giving them a sense of independence.

Outdoor and nature play has to be the most natural way for kids to learn and be in charge of their learning. It’s fun, it’s healthy and it sparks the imagination. All educators should be making time for this.