Run, Play, Learn

Encouraging children to play outdoors in nature can teach them about the environment and the importance of looking after the world we live in for future generations. Sara Whatley gets her wellies on and gets outside!

Children naturally love playing outdoors. It gives them space to physically move fast and freely, be loud and expressive and have time to explore and be messy – perfect fun for young ones! Through playing outdoors in nature children are also learning about the environment and with a few additions, they can learn about the possibilities of recycling as well.

Unleashing children outdoors when they have been inside for a while can be like opening a box of springs – off they go wildly zigzagging in all directions, their little feet skipping and jumping as they run. Allowing free outdoor play is vital to let children burn off energy, develop gross and fine motor skills and enjoy the feeling of moving their bodies, which will serve them well all through their lives and help to keep them healthy.

Many schools now have access to forest schools, which provide a variety of different habitats for children to enjoy. They can be based in wooded areas, but also in grassland, parks with trees, and even rivers or Unleashing children outdoors when they have been inside for a while can be like opening a box of springs

beaches. Exposing children to these different habitats introduces them to the various varieties of plant and animal life that reside there, and also helps their understanding of the biodiversity of nature.

Forest schools and dedicated outdoor nature play areas provide children with safe, non-judgemental areas where they may feel able to express themselves more freely away from the traditional classroom setting. These spaces also provide children with risk taking opportunities, something that stretches further than just physical risk but taps into strengthening selfsufficiency, confidence and self-esteem. This may be achieved through problem solving – crossing bridges or building a den; playing group games and engaging in selfexploration.

If possible, provide children with different play zones such as space to run, jump, hide and swing, which will cater to their physical side. Pushing each other on the swing, or pulling each other around in a cart will also help children build their social skills. A constructive play area such as a water wall, a mud kitchen, sandpit and a structure with walls, a roof and window will help them tap into their imaginations. The possibilities are endless with a building structure – are they in the doctor’s, a shop, a rocket or a farm? This is the area where recycling can be used too. Recycled tyres could be turned into horse jumps, tunnels or swings. A water wall could be built using an old pallet and attaching a series of cut open

Exposing children to different habitats helps their understanding of the biodiversity of nature

bottles and containers turned upside down to make them into funnels and attaching old hosepipe to the ends to direct the flow of water. Children will love pouring water into the top funnels, watching it flow down and catching it at the bottom, ready to be poured back into the top again!

Getting out in all weathers and seasons is important too and helps children learn about the seasons, the weather and looking after ourselves in different conditions. Sunscreen and hats must be worn in sunny weather and warm woollies and coats in winter.

Creating little projects at home can be a good way to encourage spending time outdoors too. How about building a worm farm with your little ones? Use an old bottle or any transparent container that can have drainage holes in the bottom and a cover to prevent escapee worms and drenching from rainwater. Layer soil and sand or shredded paper to make it visually interesting and children will enjoy seeing the worms mix the layers together as they burrow.

Feed the worms with plant-based food scraps (no meat or dairy) and teach children how these amazing composters turn our waste into beautiful food for the garden.

Finding the correct worms to fill your worm farm may be the most fun and challenging part of the project. Common garden worms are longer and pink and will burrow down deeper into the earth. Composting worms, the ones you want in your farm, are shorter and redder in colour and live closer to the surface of the earth. It may take a little while to fill your worm farm but hunting out the worms will be great fun for the kids! l The possibilities are endless with a building structure – are they in the doctor’s, a shop, a rocket or a farm?

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