Your Child and the Great Outdoors

Your Child and theGreat Outdoors“Children must have opportunities to play indoors and outdoors. ““If a setting does not have direct access to an outdoor play area, thenthey must make arrangements for daily opportunities for outdoor play inan appropriate nearby location.”(Early Years Foundation Stage; Practice Guidance; 2008)Lancashire Early Years Foundation Stage Consultants

Why play out?Outdoor provision is vital for babies, toddlers and youngchildren.A rich outdoor play space will offer your child:Space to be noisy, active and boisterousFresh air – allows more oxygen to the brainExperience of different weathers and seasonsDirect contact with the natural worldFreedom; do things not possible indoors - MESS!Multi-sensory experiencesEmotional and physical well beingReal experiences – growing, digging, sweepingChallenge and awareness of safetyNatural light - essential for learning

What will your child enjoy?Filling / emptying ; lifting / carryingHiding / going in and out of boxes, tents, etcDigging and exploring materials like soil, sand, woodchipLooking for and learning to care for living thingsCollecting objects – arranging these in rows and patternsSplashing in puddles; feeling the wind and rainExploring natural materials like leaves, cones, pebbles

How can you support your child’s outdoor play?Provide suitable clothing for all weathersEncourage your child to care for living thingsProvide simple open-ended resources to exploreShare snack and meals outsideRole model and involve your child in outdooractivities such as gardening, washing the car,cleaning windows, sweeping the path, feedingwildlife, etc

Some ideas for outdoor play at homeOutdoor resources need not cost the earth. Simple,everyday objects with many uses are just, if not morevaluable.Boxes, buckets and basketsRibbons, streamers, bubblesCones, pebbles, shells, log off-cutsSponges, brushes, rollersSand, water, soil, woodchipGuttering, pipes, watering cans, hosepipeBread / milk crates; large boxesBlankets, pegs, clothes maidensTyres, planks