Outdoor Play
Outside play is a vital element of our daily routine, promoting physical development alongside healthy brain development.
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The Children's Workshop has two outdoor play spaces.
Our front area has a raised astro turf garden with a mud kitchen, sand pit, play house, sheds full of resources and plenty of bikes and scooters to whiz up and down on.
Our back garden has a large climbing frame which is perfect for building up those gross motor skills, balance, coordination and confidence. We have a cozy gazebo, climbing wall, gymnastic bars, a mud kitchen, a wormery and lots of large loose parts for open ended learning and creations. There is also a covered area outside, where the children enjoy playing even when it's raining.
Physical development is one of the Prime Areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation stage. Without a solid foundation of good gross and fine motor control and a variety of experiences moving in different ways, children will struggle with many areas of learning, including pre-writing skills. Before a child can hold a pencil and form tiny little letters, they need to strengthen their core muscles, shoulders, elbows, hands and fingers. Climbing provides a fun way to develop shoulder pivots. These muscles enable children to effectively grasp a pencil and to use it with good control. Any movements that encourage children to stretch their arms above their head is a pre-writing skill as it is helping to develop the relevant muscles for later writing.
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What are the benefits of outdoor play and learning for my child?
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Engaging in outdoor activities provides children with opportunities to explore and discover the world around them, promoting a sense of wonder and curiosity. Outdoor play has many benefits for children, including their physical and mental health as well as their social skills.
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✓ Physical health
Being outdoors provides children with opportunities to engage in physical activities that promote healthy development. When children play outside, they get to run, jump, climb and engage in other forms of physical activity that help to develop their gross motor skills. Developing their gross motor skills will in turn help to develop their fine motor skills; these are needed for pinching, grasping and writing. Outdoor play also strengthens bones and muscles, which is important for maintaining a healthy body and improving fitness levels.
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✓ Mental health
Outdoor learning and play can improve mental health and wellbeing by reducing stress and anxiety levels. Being outdoors in nature can help children feel more relaxed, connected to the environment and more in touch with their emotions. This can help them to develop resilience and coping strategies to deal with the challenges of adolescence. It also allows children to escape the pressures of everyday life and engage in imaginative play, which is essential for cognitive development.
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✓ Social skills
Spending time outdoors can provide opportunities for children to interact with others and develop their social skills. When children play outside, they learn to work together, communicate effectively and solve problems collaboratively. Outdoor activities often require children to work together to achieve a common goal, which can help them develop important skills that are essential for success in later life, such as teamwork, communication and leadership. Outdoor play also helps children develop empathy and compassion for others.
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✓ Creativity
Outdoor learning and play can provide opportunities for children to express themselves creatively. The natural environment can inspire children to create art, music or poetry, while providing a source of inspiration for creative projects. This can help children to develop their imagination, creativity and self-expression.
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✓ Enhanced learning
Research shows that children who learn outdoors have better retention and recall of information and are more engaged and motivated to learn. Outdoor learning also provides opportunities for children to apply theoretical knowledge in practical, real-world contexts, which can help them understand concepts more deeply.
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✓ Environmental awareness
Spending time outdoors can help children develop an appreciation for the natural world and an understanding of the importance of protecting the environment. This can lead to a greater sense of responsibility and a desire to take action to protect the planet.
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(Taken from a collaboration between Twinkl and Green Earth Learning who are passionate about using nature play as a tool to help connect children to the world around them.)
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