Active Start in the Outdoors
Active Start in the Outdoors is aimed at those working within the early years, the resource supports delivery of the early years foundation stage curriculum through a series of activities underpinned by outdoor learning.
Why is outdoor learning important?
The Outdoor Learning environment provides so many opportunities for children to develop and thrive. Access to nature brings about an abundance of benefits both physically, emotionally, and socially. Here are just a few:
Physical Development
- Active outdoors play helps children develop their gross motor skills
- Builds strong muscles and bones
- Helps children to develop a strong vestibular sense
Emotional Development
- Explore and challenge themselves through physical activities
- Learn to take risks due to the unpredictable nature of the outdoors
- Overcome fears which in turn builds confidence
- Provides multi-sensory experiences, engaging all of the senses
Social Development
- Being outdoors supports cooperation encouraging children to share, take turns, and use their imagination
- Connecting with nature and building greater understanding of what exists around them
Go Outdoors!
Take the children outdoors and try the Active Start activities below:
Communication and Language - Sound Found (pdf, 17690KB)
Expressive Arts and Design - Wild and Windy (pdf, 18895KB)
Literacy - Wild Writing (pdf, 17880KB)
Maths - Find the Numbers (pdf, 17627KB)
Personal, Social, and Emotional Development - Rabbit Warren (pdf, 18538KB)
Physical Development - Wishy Washy Dishy Washy (pdf, 17848KB)