Play/Active Learning

This case studyexplains how agroup of childrenat a playgroupwere involved inchanging a smallenclosed courtyardinto an outdoorlearning area.Developing an outdoor areaWe have a small enclosed courtyard area with a protective softsurface. We wanted to develop this area into an outdoor learningarea (i.e. a classroom outdoors). It was decided that we woulduse the children’s ideas as the main focus for developing this area.To ensure this project is successful it was understood that it wouldbe long term and that the children’s input was essential.Our first activity was to look with the children at the outdoorfacilities we already had. The children took photographs of thegarden, flowers, gazebo, the stone path, slide and trampolineto remind them of how the courtyard looked at the start of theproject.We then asked the children what they would like to see and doin the courtyard. Their suggestions included birds, an aeroplane,a play house, raspberries and lots of flowers. The children’s ideaswere recorded in a book and included quotes and photographs(taken by the children) to remind us, and them, of their ideas.The children were taken outside a number of times in bothdry and wet weather to encourage them to think aboutactivities and how they might work. After much discussion andexcitement it was decided that we would divide the courtyardinto different learning areas and that we would develop onearea at a time.Our first area to be developed was the shed, which waschanged from storage to a role-play area (for example, a café,house, etc.). The small outdoor equipment previously stored inthe shed (for example, beanbags, balls, quoits, etc.) are nowstored in large, black bins that are labelled accordingly. Thechildren can now access and return the equipment themselvesby reading the picture/word label.The children wanted to take books outside to look at/read, buthad nowhere to sit so we have created a quiet outdoor readingarea by erecting some trellis decorated with plants and puttingin a bench and some tree trunk seats. This has proved verypopular with the children.The development of the outdoor learning area is ongoing and,in time, other areas will be developed.Play/Active Learning9