1. The Importance of Play and Outdoor Learning in the Early Years
Parent Workshop – February 2017

2. Aims of the Workshop Find out about the key ways young children learn
Why outdoor play is important
How you can support your child’s outdoor play

3. What are the key ways children learn?
Talking to themselves
Playing
Representing ideas and experiences
Being active
Being with other people
Being shown how to do things
Exploring new things and experiences
Communicating what they are doing and their ideas
Practising, repeating, applying skills
Meeting physical and mental challenges
Having Fun!
National Strategies 2009

4. Play in the curriculum
Play underpins all development and learning for young children
EYFS Practice Guidance
Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems, and relate to others.
1.9 p.6 Statutory Framework for the EYFS 2012

5. Why do children need to play?
We learn best when highly motivated because….
Choice leads to personal satisfaction
We are more likely to persist when faced with difficulty
Learning is in a personal style and at own particular level of understanding
Understanding is likely to be retained from discovery rather than instruction
Action increases the connections that are made and reinforced in the brain
Reliving and retelling consolidates understanding and gives ownership

6. Why play outdoors?
In small groups decide which of the following statements are most important.

7. Why is learning outdoors special and unique?
Outdoor play supports all round wellbeing and development
Many children learn best outdoors
It offers children the freedom and space to be adventurous, noisy and messy – something that many do not have outside of school
It gives them access to the natural world, fresh air and direct experience of the weather
The multi-sensory experience allows children to develop the body as well as the brain
It provides endless opportunities for discovery play and talk, a place to be with others and develop relationships
It presents them with endless problems to solve
It allows them to take risks

8. Your role in children’s play
Be sensitive – give attention to, value and understand children’s interests and points of view
Provide stimuli – encourage children’s drive for meaning and make relevant contributions to their learning
Provide independence – give children the room to follow their own initiatives, encourage their independence and free-range thought. Understand that learning is a process for both the child and the adult

9. Your role in children’s play
Be prepared to “catch the ball that children throw us” – get the “ball” back to the child as quickly as possible and keep the game going as long as possible.
Become partners in children’s learning – hold back from asking too many questions, wonder aloud

10. Ideas for outdoor play
Greenwich Ecological Park – nature trail, events throughout the year for children of all ages
Gardening Club Southwark Park – monthly gardening club
Nature Play Greenwich and Nature Play South East London – exploring woods with emphasis on children’s independence and discovery

11. To summarise
Learning through play is a key way in which children learn
Outdoor play offers a range of experiences that children can’t have indoors
The adult’s role is as the children’s partner in their play, sharing their discoveries and extending their learning

12. Any questions?