Creative & Critical Thinking Outdoors EYcreativestarlearning.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Creative... · environment!which!supports!and!encourages!creative!thinking!and!play!makes!a!difference.!

©"Juliet"Robertson,"Creative"STAR"Learning"Company,"2012"" www.creativestarlearning.co.uk" 1"

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CREATIVE(and(CRITICAL(

THINKING(OUTDOORS(In(the(Early(Years(

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Ideas,(Suggestions(and(Activities(!

Juliet!Robertson!!!

©"2014"Creative"STAR"Learning"Company"""Telephone:"07802"800167""""Email:"[email protected]"


CREATIVE(and(CRITICAL(THINKING(OUTDOORS(

IN(THE(EARLY(YEARS((Introduction(!!

The!document!Development*Matters*in*the*Early*Years*Foundation*Stage*(EYFS)!published!by!Early!Education!(2012)!provides!some!useful!supportive!advice!around!implementing!the!statutory!guidance.!!!There!are!four!EYFS!themes!which!underpin!the!guidance:!!A(Unique(Child(

Every!child!is!a!unique!child!who!is!constantly!learning!and!can!be!resilient,!capable,!confident!and!selfGassured.!Practitioners:!• Understand!and!observe!each!child’s!development!and!learning,!assess!progress,!plan!for!next!

steps!• Support!babies!and!children!to!develop!a!positive!sense!of!identity!and!culture!• Identify!any!need!for!additional!support!• Keep!children!safe!• Value!and!respect!all!children!and!families!equally! Positive(Relationships(

Children!learn!to!be!strong!and!independent!through!positive!relationships!which!are:!• Warm!and!loving,!and!foster!a!sense!of!belonging!• Sensitive!and!responsive!to!the!child’s!needs,!feelings!and!interests!• Supportive!of!the!child’s!own!efforts!and!independence!• Consistent!in!setting!clear!boundaries!• Stimulating!• Built!on!key!person!relationships!in!early!years!settings!(

Enabling(Environments(

Children!learn!and!develop!well!in!enabling!environments,!in!which!their!experiences!respond!to!their!individual!needs!and!there!is!a!strong!partnership!between!practitioners!and!parents!and!carers.!Enabling!Environments(value!all!people!and!value!learning.!They!offer:!

• Stimulating!resources,!relevant!to!all!the!children’s!cultures!and!communities!!• Rich!learning!opportunities!through!play!and!playful!teaching!!• Support!for!children!to!take!risks!and!explore!!

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Together(the(above(themes(impact(upon(the(quality(of(the(learning(and(the(development(of(a(

child.(

Children!develop!and!learn!in!different!ways.!The!framework!covers!the!education!and!care!of!all!children!in!early!years!provision,!including!children!with!special!educational!needs!and!disabilities.!!Practitioners!teach!children!by!ensuring!challenging,!playful!opportunities!across!the!primary!and!specific!areas!of!learning!and!development.!They(foster(the(characteristics(of(effective(early(learning:(play(&(exploring,(active(learning,(creating(and(thinking(critically.!!


Creating(and(Thinking(Critically!The!table!below!is!adapted!from*Taken!from:!Early!Education!(2012)!Development*Matters*in*the*Early*Years*Foundation*Stage*(EYFS)!This!is!a!useful!list!to!remind!practitioners!that!simply!being!outside!is!not!enough!–the!quality!of!the!adult!interactions!matter!too.!!(

Having(their(own(ideas(!!• Thinking!of!ideas!

• Finding!ways!to!solve!problems!!

• Finding!new!ways!to!do!things!!

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Making(links(!!• Making!links!and!noticing!

patterns!in!their!experience!Making!predictions!

• Testing!their!ideas!• Developing!ideas!of!grouping,!

sequences,!cause!and!effect!!

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Choosing(ways(to(do(things(!• !

• Planning,!making!decisions!about!how!to!

approach!a!task,!solve!a!problem!and!reach!a!goal!!

• Checking!how!well!their!activities!are!going!!• Changing!strategy!as!needed!!

• Reviewing!how!well!the!approach!worked!!

• !

Positive(Relationships(•!Use!the!language!of!thinking!and!learning:!think,*know,*remember,*forget,*idea,*makes*sense,*plan,*learn,*find*out,*confused,*figure*out,*trying*to*do.!!

• Model!being!a!thinker,!showing!that!you!don’t!always!know,!are!curious!and!sometimes!puzzled,!and!can!think!and!find!out.!!

• Encourage!openGended!thinking!by!not!settling!on!the!first!ideas:!What*else*is!possible?!!• Always!respect!children’s!efforts!and!ideas,!so!they!feel!safe!to!take!a!risk!with!a!new!idea.!!• Talking!aloud!helps!children!to!think!and!control!what!they!do.!Model!selfGtalk,!describing!your!actions!

in!play.!!• Give!children!time!to!talk!and!think.!!• Value!questions,!talk,!and!many!possible!responses,!without!rushing!toward!answers!too!quickly.!!• Support!children’s!interests!over!time,!reminding!them!of!previous!approaches!and!encouraging!them!

to!make!connections!between!their!experiences.!!• Model!the!creative!process,!showing!your!thinking!about!some!of!the!many!possible!ways!forward.!!• Sustained!shared!thinking!helps!children!to!explore!ideas!and!make!links.!Follow!children’s!lead!in!

conversation,!and!think!about!things!together.!!• Encourage!children!to!describe!problems!they!encounter,!and!to!suggest!ways!to!solve!the!problem.!!• Show!and!talk!about!strategies!–!how!to!do!things!–!including!problemGsolving,!thinking!and!learning.!!• Give!feedback!and!help!children!to!review!their!own!progress!and!learning.!Talk!with!children!about!

what!they!are!doing,!how!they!plan!to!do!it,!what!worked!well!and!what!they!would!change!next!time.!!• Model!the!planGdoGreview!process!yourself.!!

!Enabling(Environments(

•!In!planning!activities,!ask!yourself:!Is*this*an*opportunity*for*children*to*find*their*own*ways*to*represent*and*develop*their*own*ideas?*Avoid!children!just!reproducing!someone!else’s!ideas.!!

• Build!in!opportunities!for!children!to!play!with!materials!before!using!them!in!planned!tasks.!!• Play!is!a!key!opportunity!for!children!to!think!creatively!and!flexibly,!solve!problems!and!link!

ideas.!Establish!the!enabling!conditions!for!rich!play:!space,!time,!flexible!resources,!choice,!control,!warm!and!supportive!relationships.!!

• Recognisable!and!predictable!routines!help!children!to!predict!and!make!connections!in!their!experiences.!!

• Routines!can!be!flexible,!while!still!basically!orderly.!!• Plan!linked!experiences!that!follow!the!ideas!children!are!really!thinking!about.!!• Use!3D!mindGmaps!to!represent!thinking!together.!!• Develop!a!learning!community!which!focuses!on!how(and!not!just!what!we!are!learning.!!

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The!suggestions!in!the!above!table!can!be!applied!to!outdoor!contexts.!Much!of!this!is!simply!about!good!learning!and!teaching!skills!and!strategies.!*(

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What(is(creativity?(

Creativity!is!about!generating!ideas!or!producing!things!and!transforming!them!into!something!of!value,!in!any!field!or!discipline.!Creativity!is!complex!and!lots!of!factors!are!involved!in!its!development.!Being!inventive,!ingenious,!innovative!and!entrepreneurial!are!part!of!being!creative.!There!is!also!a!need!for!learners!to!be!able!to!persist!when!faced!with!a!challenge.!For!example,!to!see!a!task!through!to!completion!or!to!be!able!to!work!through!a!difficult!social!situation!that!requires!negotiation!and!compromise.!Courage,!motivation!and!resilience!are!part!of!the!creative!process.!!!Everyone!has!the!potential!to!be!creative.!It!is!a!skill!that!can!and!needs!to!be!developed!but!is!often!a!capacity!that!young!children!seem!to!possess!naturally!and!should!be!nurtured.!A!learning!environment!which!supports!and!encourages!creative!thinking!and!play!makes!a!difference.!Collaborative!groups!and!partnerships!within!classes,!schools!and!extending!into!the!community!positively!impacts!on!learners.!!Taking!learning!and!play!outdoors!can!help!foster!creativity,!for!several!reasons:!

Being!outside!increases!children’s!knowledge!about!the!real!world,!event!and!activities! The!diversity!of!opportunities!to!develop!problem!solving!strategies! Nature!and!natural!materials! Challenge,!risk!and!decision!making! Acquisition!of!new,!specialist!and!transferable!skills! The!increased!communication!that!can!arise! Places!to!relax!and!just!be! Developing!the!imagination!!

!Creativity!can!be!woven!through!a!playGbased!curriculum!by:!

Enabling!children!to!take!greater!responsibility!for!planning!and!managing!their!own!learning! Taking!openGended!approaches!to!learning! Developing!external!partnerships!to!broaden!the!learning!experience!

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“Be(creating(we(think.(By(living(we(learn.”(Sir(Patrick(Geddes(It!can!be!helpful!to!think!of!developing!creativity!as!a!process!as!suggested!by!Carol!Duffy!(1998).!It!begins!with:!! Curiosity!–!What!is!it?!! Exploration!–!Finding!out!! Play!–!What!can!I!do!with!this?!! Creativity!–!What!can!I!create!or!invent?!!Thus!when!setting!up!outdoor!spaces,!focusing!what!will!arouse!children’s!curiosity!is!a!good!starting!point.!Next,!allow!lots!of!time!for!children!to!explore,!find!out!and!get!to!know!what!is!there.!Time!to!play!freely!gives!children!opportunities!to!be!creative!and!inventive.!!!!!!


Make(an(outdoor(space(a(place(of(discovery(and(exploration(Considering!the!outdoor!space!as!a!place!for!discovery!and!exploration!makes!a!significant!difference.!You!do!not!need!to!give!your!outdoor!space!an!expensive!radical!makeover.!Little!tweaks!can!transform!any!place!into!a!magical!space.!Here!are!some!suggestions:!!

If!you!have!raised!beds,!pots!or!planters,!consider!mulching!with!a!variety!of!different!materials!such!as:!glass!beads,!coffee!beans,!shells,!different!sorts!of!gravel,!etc.!!

Let!there!be!random!treasures!to!be!found!in!different!places.!For!example,!have!moon!stones!sprinkled!in!between!gravel!at!the!side!of!the!path!or!little!shells!

Put!mirrors!in!different!places!to!create!a!feeling!of!more!space,!to!reflect!light,!as!a!surprise,!etc.!!

Have!peekGaGboo!holes.!Gaps!or!spaces!that!children!can!peek!through!are!great!fun.!Likewise!tubes!for!crawling!through!seem!to!be!popular!!

Put!objects!into!the!mud!pit!or!sand!pit!to!be!discovered!by!chance.!These!can!link!to!children’s!interests.!They!can!also!be!the!start!of!new!adventures,!especially!if!children!find!a!key!(what!will!it!open),!etc.!

Create!a!minibeast!log!pile,!bird!feeding!stations!and!other!opportunities!to!find!animals.!Seek!advice!from!a!local!ranger!or!environmental!professional!about!where!to!site!these!features!

Look!for!interesting!places!locally!to!explore.!Sometimes!there!are!hidden!places!and!spaces!which!children!love!

Create!interesting!footprints!which!lead!off!somewhere…!or!set!up!a!trail!to!follow…!! Creating!a!variety!of!textures:!consider!the!variety!of!surfaces!and!add!to!the!variety!through!ground!mosaics,!use!of!sand,!bark!chips,!grit,!cobbles,!bricks,!gravel,!long!and!short!grass,!etc.!With!bark!chips!or!gravel,!little!objects!can!be!put!in!to!the!mix!so!that!children!are!encourage!to!find!and!use!them,!e.g.!a!small!plastic!toy,!a!bead,!etc.!

Have!logs!and!stumps!of!wood!from!different!trees! Have!containers!such!as!tyres!filled!with!different!materials:!shells,!coffee!beans,!pebbles,!cones,!miniature!sticks,!etc.!This!can!encourage!sorting!and!classifying!materials!

Use!the!suggestions!for!the!sound!as!ways!of!bringing!sound!into!the!outdoor!area.!Consider!different!plants!and!the!noises!made.!For!example,!pampas!grass,!bamboo,!popular!and!aspen!trees!are!rustle!when!wind!moves!through!their!leaves!

Look!at!ways!of!capturing!and!streaming!light.!When!putting!sculptures!or!fixed!equipment!in!place,!consider!the!opportunities!for!patterns!to!be!created!by!light!shining!through!or!reflecting!off!the!structures.!!

Plants!can!also!be!used!to!create!interesting!light!patterns.!By!putting!plants!with!different!leaf!shapes!in!sunny!places!or!having!plants!climbing!up!a!wall,!then!variety!can!be!introduced.!!

Grow!some!grass!and!let!it!grow!long!for!children!to!play!in.! If!you!have!solid!wooden!fences,!consider!cutting!holes!in!different!shapes!and!at!different!levels!in!it,!to!allow!the!light!to!shine!through.!!

Create!a!sensory!area!in!your!grounds!or!outdoor!space.!Visit!the!Wee!Green!Finger!post!on!the!Creative!STAR!blog!http://twurl.nl/rxmtvn!for!information!about!plants!for!a!sensory!garden.!!

Plant!sensory!plants!including!edible!vegetables!and!flowers.! Make!CD!mobiles!which!catch!the!light!! Make!mobiles!with!streamers!which!move!in!the!wind!! Have!a!range!of!surfaces!and!textures!within!the!outdoor!area,!including!sand,!water!and!mud! Provide!resources!made!of!different!metals,!weights,!sizes,!colours!and!shapes! Have!music!and!sound!making!opportunities!!

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Increasing(children’s(knowledge(about(nature(!!

Look!deep!into!nature,!and!then!you!will!understand!everything!better.!!~!Albert!Einstein!!

!Children!who!spend!more!time!in!a!natural!environment!have!a!better!knowledge!about!nature.2!Time!to!observe!patterns,!sequences!and!events!in!the!world!can!develop!an!understanding!of!relationships,!interGdependency!and!cause!and!effect.!!Many!famous!scientists,!inventors!and!artists!attribute!their!time!in!childhood!spent!in!natural!habitats!playing,!experimenting!and!exploring!as!formative!experiences.!Often!time!observing!nature,!results!in!creative!spark.!For!example,!it!is!believed!that!Leonardo!Da!Vinci!developed!the!concept!of!mind!maps!by!looking!at!patterns!in!leaves.!!!Early(Years(practitioners(can…(

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Green!up!their!indoor!and!outdoor!areas.!This!can!be!done!through!raised!beds!and!container!plants!if!there!is!no!grass,!trees!and!shrubs!there.!Grow!plants!inside!and!let!children!care!for!them.!!

Increase!the!biodiversity!of!the!outdoors!space.!This!means!planting!native!trees,!shrubs!and!plants.!In!turn,!these!plants!attract!wildlife!and!plant!life.!It!can!be!a!rich!learning!source!about!the!natural!world.!The!local!ranger!service!should!be!able!to!advise!or!a!Local!Biodiversity!Officer!within!your!local!authority.!!

Provide!reference!books!and!field!study!guides!about!local!plants!and!animals.!Children!do!not!need!to!know!the!name!of!every!plants!and!animal!but!if!a!child!is!keen!to!know!more!about!newlyGdiscovered!creature!then!it’s!helpful!to!have!these!materials!to!hand.!!

Read!stories!and!have!resources!that!focus!on!British!wildlife,!culture!and!heritage.!This!helps!increase!children’s!knowledge!about!their!immediate!environment!–!cultural!and!social!as!well!as!natural.!!!

Let!children!access!and!play!freely!in!greenspace!such!as!the!beach!or!woodland!habitats.!See!the!nature!play!ideas!and!Appendix!1!for!organisations!and!resources!to!enable!this!to!happen.!

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Earth!and!sky,!woods!and!fields,!lakes!and!rivers,!the!mountain!and!the!sea,!are!excellent!schoolmasters,!and!teach!some!of!us!more!than!we!can!ever!learn!from!books.!!~John!Lubbock!

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""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""2 Fjørtoft, I. & Sageie, J.(2001) 'The Natural Environment as a Playground for Children: The Impact of Outdoor Play Activities in Pre-Primary School Children', Early Childhood Education Journal 29(2): 111-117. "


Develop(problemXsolving(strategies(!Outdoor!spaces!and!places!can!present!opportunities!to!develop!problemGsolving!strategies.!!Children!are!exposed!to!far!more!varied!and!multifaceted!issues!and!challenges!in!an!outdoor!environment.!!These!can!be!used!skillfully!to!engage!them!in!the!application!of!a!wide!array!of!skills!and!knowledge!in!response!to!challenges.!!!!We!can!embed!a!problemGsolving!approach!by:!!

ReGphrasing!or!reGwording!our!interactions!with!children!to!create!challenge!and!problemGsolving!opportunities!throughout!any!session!!

Ways!of!working!with!children!to!solve!problems!in!routine!matters,!e.g.!how!can!we!all!keep!the!cloakroom!tidy?!

! ReGphrasing!activities!and!using!natural!materials!to!stimulate!higher!order!thinking!

! Looking!at!the!variety!of!problem!solving!scenarios!which!can!be!developed!outside,!e.g.!Teddy!stuck!up!a!tree,!freeing!a!soft!toy!from!a!web!

! Simple!group!challenges!that!require!collecting!thinking!and!problem!solving!

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!!!Natural*materials*can*be*large*scale*too!*Every*time*a*child*climbs*these*tree*roots,*the*challenge*is*slightly*different*depending*on*season,*weather*and*root*decay*as*the*tree*is*dead.*!!!!

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Natural(places(and(materials(!Give!children!and!young!people!opportunities!to!visit!places!that!have!a!sense!of!wildness.!By!using!natural!materials!for!different!purposes!children!are!able!to!make!connections!and!be!inventive.!Natural!materials!are!more!‘open!ended’!requiring!greater!skill!and!creativity!in!use.!This!can!help!to!extend!learning.!!Ensure!children!have!access!to!a!natural!habitat!on!weekly!basis!or!more!often,!if!possible.!Most!settings!are!within!a!15Gminute!walk!of!woodland,!beach,!park!or!other!greenspace.!Natural!habitats!are!full!of!natural!materials!!Here!children!can!explore!the!materials!in!fuller!and!more!creative!ways.!!The!contact!is!more!meaningful.!It!is!important!to!set!boundaries!and!establish!routines!for!this!sort!of!activity.!It!is!not!necessary!to!be!Forest!School!trained.!!!In!natural!environments!such!as!woodlands!and!beaches,!the!opportunities!for!using!natural!materials!as!loose!parts!as!part!of!a!learning!and!teaching!approach!is!further!enhanced!as!the!scale!and!quantity!of!materials!available!greatly!increases.!Here!children!can!explore!the!materials!in!fuller!


and!more!creative!ways.!!The!contact!is!more!meaningful.!Consider!the!variety!of!natural!habitats!and!greenspaces!which!are!close!to!your!centre,!within!walking!distance!or!a!short!bus!ride.!!Plan!for!frequent,!regular!visits!to!these!places.!!Natural!materials!provide!some!of!the!most!versatile!and!multiGsensory!experiences!for!young!children.!Their!variety,!properties!and!openGended!nature!offer!very!high!play!value.!!Give!children!time!to!explore!the!materials!especially!if!they!are!unfamiliar!with!how!to!use!them!imaginatively.!!Raise!the!profile!of!natural!materials!both!inside!and!outside.!Audit!your!resources!and!build!up!collections.!!This!can!be!part!of!your!centre’s!sustainability!policy.!!Most!natural!materials!can!be!stored!indoors!or!out.!!Consider!presentation,!accessibility!and!ease!of!tidying!up!at!the!end!of!a!session!where!this!is!necessary.!Natural!materials!tend!to!look!more!attractive!when!displayed!in!natural!containers!such!as!coir!or!willow!baskets.!Make!provision!for!transporting!natural!materials!too,!through!use!of!wheelbarrows,!containers,!etc.!!When!undertaking!improvement!to!the!outdoor!area,!consider!the!use!of!natural!materials!as!part!of!the!landscaping!as!well!as!materials!for!play,!exploration!and!investigation.!Provide!natural!resources!in!several!places!so!they!interact!with!other!aspects!of!play!provision!indoors!and!out.!For!example!consider!the!different!surfaces!on!which!to!work,!e.g.!trays,!sand,!tarmac,!grass.!!Use!a!light!coloured!cloth!where!materials!need!to!be!seen!clearly.!!!Staff!need!to!agree!about!their!overall!approach!and!specific!procedures!for!safe!use.!Careful!riskGbenefit!management!should!aim!to!open!up!the!potential!of!these!materials!whilst!keeping!children!safe.!!!Natural(materials(as(a(resource(to(aid(creative(thinking(skills(

Natural!materials!such!as!stones,!sticks!and!shells!are!not!uniform.!When!carefully!used!within!and!across!different!subject!areas,!natural!materials!encourage!problem!solving,!highGorder!thinking!and!communication.!For!example,!if!a!reception!class!are!asked!to!find!out!how!many!unifix!cubes!are!needed!to!make!one!metre,!the!answer!is!fixed.!If!stones!are!used,!the!challenge!is!becomes!openGended!because!each!stone!is!a!slightly!different!size.!This!gives!rise!to!more!discussion!and!further!challenge!such!as!requesting!all!groups!all!use!the!same!number!of!stones!to!complete!the!task.(!

In!natural!environments!such!as!woodlands!and!beaches,!the!opportunities!for!using!natural!materials!as!part!of!a!learning!and!teaching!approach!is!further!enhanced!as!the!scale!and!quantity!of!materials!available!greatly!increases.!!!!Natural*materials*lend*themselves*to*cooperative*activities.**In*this*photo,*one*child*makes*a*pattern*with*leaves,*sticks*and*other*materials.**The*other*child*has*to*copy*the*pattern.*

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SOURCING(AND(USING(NATURAL(MATERIALS((

Most!natural!materials!can!be!collected!or!purchased!very!cheaply.!!When!collecting!natural!materials!always!check!byGlaws,!follow!the!land!access!laws!in!your!country!and!gather!only!a!little!at!a!time.!!Some!materials!such!as!fossils,!bulbs,!mosses!and!lichens!have!strict!collection!codes.!Never!remove!rocks!and!stones!from!walls,!no!matter!how!derelict!without!the!landowner’s!permission.!Advice!can!also!be!sought!from!countryside!rangers!and!the!Forestry!Commission!Scotland!especially!if!you!need!sticks!and!wood!products.!For!logs,!contact!your!nearest!sawmill.!!If!your!centre!has!very!strict!policies!on!the!use!of!natural!materials,!then!suppliers!of!more!polished!natural!products!include:!

• Mindstretchers!www.mindstretchers.co.uk!• Muddy!Faces!www.muddyfaces.co.uk!!• The!Cosy!Catalogue,!telephone!01332!370152!

!Hay!G!Dust!free!varieties!available!from!pet!shops.!Dried!grass!can!be!substituted,!depending!on!how!it’s!cut!and!left!to!dry.!!Unspun!wool!and!coir!fibres!are!also!useful.!

• Use!in!small!world!play!• Use!in!art!activities!• Stick!in!a!tyre!for!hiding!objects!and!finding!them!again!!• Use!as!“bedding”!or!floor!cover!in!an!outside!den!• Make!nests!for!humans,!birds!or!other!creatures!• Weave!with!hay,!grass,!wool!and!coir!• Add!to!compost!bin!once!used.!

!Compost(G!Always!buy!peat!free!so!that!peatlands!and!bog!habitats!are!not!being!unnecessarily!destroyed.!High!quality!topsoil!loam!can!also!be!purchased!at!garden!centres.!

• Use!for!small!world!building!sites!• Landscaping!material!in!small!world!play!• Mix!with!sand!and!/!or!water!and!feel!the!changes!in!consistency!• Add!to!topsoil!in!digging!area!or!garden!once!used!

!Nuts(and(pods(G!Shop!bought!or!gathered!wild!in!a!sustainable!manner!which!leaves!plenty!on!the!ground!for!wildlife.!If!a!person!has!a!nut!allergy!in!the!centre!then!check!about!whether!these!resources!are!alright!to!have!around.!Often!the!allergy!is!specific!and!does!not!always!extend!to!beech!nuts,!conkers,!etc.!

• When!going!on!a!walk,!let!children!hide!some!nuts!enGroute.!!See!if!the!children!can!find!their!nuts!on!the!way!back.!This!is!a!common!challenge!for!hibernating!animals!who!can!forget!where!they!have!stashed!their!food!or!who!discover!another!animal!has!eaten!theirs!!

• If!fresh,!then!crack!open!and!taste!• Use!shells!for!3D!art!work,!e.g.!walnut!shell!boats,!make!patterns!in!clay!tiles,!etc.!• Use!as!counters!or!substitute!in!role!play!for!money,!food,!etc.!• Fill!containers!and!make!shakers,!for!accompanying!music!and!dancing!• Use!conkers!instead!of!balls!in!games!

!!!!


Pebbles(and(rocks!GSmooth!rounded!ones!can!be!collected!from!stony!beaches!and!river!beds.!DIY!stores!such!as!B&Q!sell!many!types!of!pebbles.!Decorative!pebbles!can!be!bought!from!Au!Naturale.!Polished!rocks!and!gemstones!can!be!purchased!from!many!shops.!A!useful!online!source!is!Manchester!Minerals!http://www.manchesterminerals.co.uk/!!

• Make!trails!to!follow!• Find!your!perfect!rock!• Make!rock!pets!by!painting!and!decorating!• Use!decorated!pebbles!to!invent!stories!• Put!rocks!into!a!transparent!container,!fill!with!water!and!observe!the!differences!• Draw!and!mark!make!using!stones!on!rocks!• Play!hide!‘n’!seek!with!rocks!• Make!“Inuksuks”!to!point!out!key!features!in!different!directions!• Build!cairns!or!piles!of!rocks!• Rocks!can!be!valuable!treasures!in!imaginative!role!play!!!• Use!rocks!instead!of!counters!in!games!• Provide!different!sized!containers.!!How!many!stones!can!you!fit!into!each!container?!!Which!

container!has!more!/!less?!How!many!stones!do!we!need!to!put!into!this!container!so!that!both!containers!have!the!same!amount?!

• Many!children!love!throwing!stones.!Teach!them!to!do!this!safely.!!This!will!help!them!judge!distances!between!themselves!and!other!objects!in!space.!Let!them!take!turns!to!throw!stones!into!a!bucket!of!water,!a!puddle!or!large!body!of!water.!Ensure!there!is!plenty!of!distance!between!the!child!and!other!people,!buildings,!windows,!cars,!etc.!

!!Seaweed!G!Gathered!from!the!sea!or!bought!from!a!wholefood!shop.!!Seaweed!can!be!dried!out!and!reused.!!

• Hang!a!bit!outside!and!use!it!to!help!forecast!the!weather!!• Make!a!snack!which!has!seaweed,!e.g.!sushi!or!a!clear!soup!• Add!to!sand!and!water!trays!• Create!a!beach!in!your!outdoor!area!–!have!stones,!sand,!rocks,!seaweed!and!shells.!!!• Dress!items!with!seaweed!–!it’s!like!adding!hair!!Create!sea!creatures!around!the!outdoor!

area!by!doing!this.!!Shells(G!Check!the!byGlaws!at!the!beach!to!ensure!that!you!are!allowed!to!remove!from!the!beach.!Only!take!small!quantities!and!build!up!a!collection!of!shells!slowly.!Find!some!larger!shells!too!for!larger!play,!e.g.!scallop!shells!are!great!in!home!corners!instead!of!plastic!plates!

• Break!or!crush!fragile!shells!using!stones!or!other!tools!• Use!for!decoration.!!Create!patterns!or!lines!of!shells!around!containers!or!on!the!tops!of!

walls,!etc!• Hide!little!gemstones!underneath!–!over!3!yr!olds!• Small!world!play…Mary,!Mary,!quite!contrary,!how!does!your!garden!grow?!• Try!to!find!an!identical!twin!shell.!• Listen!for!the!sea!in!a!large!shell!• Make!jewellery!or!use!in!art!activities!for!printing!etc.!• Create!mobiles!through!threading!together!and!hanging!up.!Some!can!even!tinkle!if!hung!

outside.!


!Leaves!–!Provide!endless!opportunities!for!pattern!work,!free!play,!investigation!and!general!fun.!Put!a!light!coloured!sheet!or!cloth!on!the!ground!for!organised!games!and!activities!

• Create!patterns!with!leaves!• Arrange!leaves!according!to!size,!shape,!colour,!favourites!• Look!at!symmetry!of!leaves!with!mirrors!• Use!laminated!leaves!to!match!with!leaves!found!outside!and!for!window!displays!• Throw!leaves!up!in!the!air!• Fill!trays!with!leaves!and!toy!insects!• Thread!autumn!leaves!and!hang!from!canopy!or!tree!to!catch!the!light!• Make!leaf!prints!in!large!slabs!of!clay!• Find!leaf!skeletons!(or!buy!from!Mindstretchers)!and!examine!them!with!a!hand!lens!and!

torch!shining!light!onto!paper.!!Twigs,(sticks,(bark,(logs!–!Consider!the!value!of!regular!visits!to!woodland!areas!where!play!on!a!large!scale!can!happen!!With!wooden!blocks,!logs!and!planks,!check!regularly!for!splinters,!wear!and!tear!and!encourage!the!children!to!do!the!same.!Having!sandpaper!to!hand!to!smooth!down!rough!wood!is!a!good!outdoor!job!for!children!to!do.!Remember!to!ask!permission!from!the!landowner!should!you!wish!to!cut!branches!or!take!logs.!

• Make!a!log!pile!or!“minibeast!hostel”!and!ensure!there!are!some!logs!that!are!decaying!and!others!which!children!can!lift!up!to!investigate.!

• Use!branches!and!sticks!for!printing!• Create!a!huge!outline!e.g.!a!dinosaur!skeleton!• Make!tents!and!tepees!with!long!sticks!and!drapes:!great!for!practical!3D!shape!work!• Tie!twigs!together!with!bark!strips!• Make!bark!rubbings!• Explore!bark!chippings!in!small!world!play!• Use!bark!chippings!in!small!world!play!• Peel!bark!off!dead!wood!• Use!a!measuring!stick!to!find!out!how!tall!you!are.!Decorate!the!stick!with!ribbons!to!

symbolise!the!heights!of!different!children.!• Play!“Pooh!Sticks”!in!guttering!and!moving!water!• Weave!bendy!twigs!like!willow!and!evergreens!into!fencing!• Balance!on!logs.!!Use!wooden!planks!for!large!scale!construction.!• Use!choppedGup!logs!to!jump!on!or!off!• Use!as!stepping!stones,!to!sit!and!read,!socialise!with!peers!and!adults!• Use!wooden!blocks!for!construction!• Hammer!nails,!make!models!• Place!large!blocks!onto!the!ground!as!a!balancing!beam!• Play!“Pick!up!Sticks”!with!real!sticks.!!Tip!the!sticks!out!of!a!container!into!a!pile.!!Take!turns!to!

remove!a!stick!without!moving!another!one!in!the!pile.!The!one!with!the!most!sticks!wins…or!perhaps!the!person!with!the!greatest!length!of!sticks!!

• Play!noughts!and!crosses!with!sticks!and!stones!!!!


Sticks(of!all!shapes!and!sizes!are!an!essential!outdoor!resource.!!Children!can!be!taught!to!handle!them!safely!no!matter!what!the!size!of!the!stick.!They!need!to!know!what!is!happening!at!both!ends!of!the!stick!to!ensure!it!isn’t!touching!anyone.!!If!the!children!understand!that!they!will!have!to!put!the!stick!down!if!it!does!touch!anyone,!they!quickly!learn!the!skills!they!need!to!be!able!to!keep!hold!of!their!chosen!stick.!Sticks!help!develop!spatial!awareness.!Encourage!children!to!think!about!where!they!are!in!relation!to!the!stick!and!where!the!stick!is!in!relation!to!everything!else!!!Start!with!small!sticks!and!plant!stalks!and!gradually!introduce!larger!sticks!once!children!are!used!to!them.!The!book!“Stick!Man”!by!Julia!Donaldson!is!a!great!introduction!to!the!variety!of!uses!of!a!stick.!(

When*children*go*on*walks,*a*stick*can*become*an*important*tool.*These*sticks*were*used*for*fishing*in*puddles,*mark*making,*dragging*and*pointing*out*important*things*that*were*seen*on*the*journey.*(

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Sticks(Have(a(High(Play(Value(

• Every*stick*is*unique*G!children,!when!left!to!their!own!devices,!often!find!their!own!individual!ways!of!playing!and!interacting!with!outdoor!environments.!

• More*sticks*the*better*G!the!number!of!play!opportunities!increases!with!complexity!of!the!environment,!and!the!looseness!and!flexibility!of!its!constituents.!Woodlands!or!beaches,!for!instance,!are!rich!play!environments.!!

• Sticks*as*play*tools*G!Children!are!able!to!sense!and!act!at!the!same!time.!For!instance,!children!instinctively!hold!sticks!and!then!use!them!to!discover!and!extend!their!playful!environmental!interactions:!poking,!tapping,!twirling,!scraping,!marking!etc.!

• Sticks*have*a*hundred*uses*G!sticks,!and!other!natural!props,!do!not!have!a!predetermined!function.!They!can!be!used!by!children!in!many!different!ways,!for!many!different!purposes,!at!many!different!times.!

• Sticks*don’t*last*forever*G!through!playing!outdoors!children!interact!with!and!change!the!environment,!creating!their!own!play!spaces.!Through!being!able!to!manipulate!outdoor!environments!children!detect!new!play!opportunities(

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General(

• Attach!pieces!of!natural!materials!to!a!masking!tape!bracelet!as!a!map!of!where!you!have!been!on!a!walk!or!journey.!

• Go!for!a!walk!in!a!meadow!in!summer.!!Put!old!socks!over!the!shoes!and!see!what!seeds!are!picked!up.!!Plant!these!and!watch!them!grow.!

• Place!hanging!baskets!full!of!natural!materials!at!low!level!• Use!coir!baskets!(for!hanging!baskets)!as!storage!bowls!• Make!and!use!willow!baskets!• Plant!tubs!of!scented!herbs!• Make!smelly!socks!filled!with!herbs,!orange!peel,!pine!cones!• Make!pot!pourri!or!rose!perfume!with!rose!petals!• Make!wind!chimes!with!shells!and!sticks!• Do!a!felting!project!using!sheep’s!wool.!!

!!!!!


Natural(Surfaces(

Within!your!outdoor!play!space!consider!the!vertical!and!horizontal!surfaces.!Introducing!natural!surfaces!can!add!even!more!play!value!to!the!area!and!help!children!make!the!link!between!the!indoor!space!and!the!world!beyond!the!confines!of!the!setting.!Always!consult!your!local!authority!maintenance!department!or!Clerk!of!Works!prior!to!undertaking!big!changes.!Joining!Learning!through!Landscapres!G!the!school!grounds!charity!www.ltl.org.uk!is!worthwhile!and!following!their!suggestions!about!consulting!and!involving!children!in!the!process!of!change.!!!Some!interesting!surfaces!include:!• Pea!gravel!• Bark!chips!• Coffee!beans!–!fair!trade!

and!organic!of!course!!• Wooden!decking!–!great!

performance!areas!• Shell!pits!• Fences!made!from!hazel!or!

willow!

• Grit!• Soil!–!have!a!digging!area!• River!stones!–!fixed!or!loose!• Logs!of!different!sizes!to!sit,!

step!or!climb!on!• Willow!structures!• Logs!as!boundaries!• Stone!walls!

• Sand!• Pine!cone!–!establish!a!pit!• Camomile!lawns!–!smell!

beautiful!• Slabs!of!stone!• Long!grass!• Boulders!of!different!sizes!• Water!–!puddles,!channels,!

etc.!!!

Challenge,(risk(and(decisionXmaking((!Creativity!is!closely!linked!to!risk!taking!and!learning!to!manage!risk.!Ventures!and!adventures!both!require!creative!thinking!and!associated!mental!and!physical!risk!taking.!A!progression!of!outdoor!activities!through!the!different!levels!can!be!part!of!a!whole!school!approach.!Succeeding!in!a!series!of!physical!outdoor!activities!can!have!a!carryGover!effect!into!academic!performance,!providing!the!challenges!are!appropriate!to!the!age!and!abilities!of!the!learners.!!Experiences!of!risk!and!reward!also!empower!learners!to!take!risks!with!their!learning,!exploring!new!possibilities!and!seeking!out!solutions.!!Risk!is!an!essential!precursor!to!creativity.!!!Playing!outdoors!is!a!fun!and!memorable!experience!for!children.!By!taking!time!to!plan!carefully!and!consider!the!health!and!safety!issues,!you!can!relax!and!enjoy!being!outside!more,!knowing!that!you!have!prepared!yourself,!other!adults!and!the!children!in!your!care!adequately.!!!Children!naturally!seek!adventure!even!if!it’s!not!provided!for!directly.!And!in!an!age!in!which!many!children!no!longer!have!the!freedom!to!explore!and!create!their!own!adventures,!providing!opportunities!for!children!to!experience!adventure!and!harness!the!benefits!is!increasingly!important.!!!The(feeling(of(the(knot(in(your(stomach…’(

!Being!outside!and!undertaking!play!activities!can!initially!create!anxiety!and!uncertainty.!No!manual!or!document!can!answer!every!issue!or!cover!every!eventuality.!!Practical!experience!does!make!a!difference!for!children!and!adults.!The!more!time!everyone!spends!outside,!the!more!everyone!becomes!aware!of!the!risks!and!measures!needed!to!manage!them.!Lots!of!discussion!is!needed!amongst!staff!in!each!centre!to!support!each!other!and!make!sensible!decisions!around!risk!management!and!enabling!children’s!play.!!


Think!about!your!outdoor!space!and!how!it!is!used.!Try!and!view!your!outdoor!space!through!your!pupils’!eyes:!that!small!corner!of!untamed!space!or!huddle!of!bushes!may!look!messy!to!the!adult!eye!but!can!have!real!significance!for!children.!Often!they!are!drawn!to!such!areas,!even!if!they’re!not!officially!supposed!to!play!in!them.!For!young!children,!simply!being!free!to!explore!their!environment!can!set!them!off!on!a!journey,!enriching!their!learning.!!Assess!your!adventurous!play!provision.!Do!children!have!yearGround!opportunities!to:!!

Experience!the!elements:!air,!earth,!fire!and!water! Use!real!tools,!inside!and!out! Play!on!uneven!surfaces!such!as!mounds,!slopes,!sunken!areas,!tree!roots,!manage!steps,!etc.! Hang!out!behind!bushes!and!play!in!dens!or!secret!spaces! Climb!trees!and/or!boulders! Use!swings!and!mess!about!with!tyres! Play!in!long!grass! Create!mini!adventures!through!small!world!play!outdoors!

!Think!about!the!interactions!of!adults!with!children.!Do!practitioners!limit!or!facilitate!adventurous!play.!For!example,!are!children!encouraged!to!make!responsible!decisions!such!as!only!climbing!up!unaided!what!they!can!get!down!by!themselves?!Do!adults!intervene!too!early,!before!children!have!had!a!chance!to!solve!the!problem!for!themselves?!!Inviting!people!such!as!forest!rangers,!play!specialists!or!sports!professionals!from!other!disciplines!can!also!provide!a!fresh!perspective.!Adventure!Aberdeen!and!Mud!Pie!Adventures!are!two!such!providers!within!NE!Scotland!who!cater!for!preGschool!aged!children.!!!(

Outdoor(Play(at(Cowgate(Under(5(Centre3((

Underpinning(Values!At!Cowgate!first!thing!in!the!morning!our!doors!are!wide!open!and!children!are!free!to!move!between!indoors!and!outdoors.!Our!practice!is!underpinned!by!values!of!choice,!autonomy,!challenge!and!risk.!!Within!certain!boundaries,!children!have!the!freedom!to!select!an!experience,!with!or!without!the!support!of!an!adult.*!!Of!central!importance!is!the!value!of!first!hand!direct!experience!and!a!model!of!play!as!freedom!to!pursue!ideas,!explore,!innovate,!imagine!and!create!in!all!areas!of!children’s!development!and!learning!both!indoors!and!outdoors.!!Anxiety!We!are!aware!of!the!rise!in!the!level!of!anxiety!in!children’s!safety,!we!live!and!work!with!a!culture!of!fear.!We!believe,!however!that!if!we!are!anxious!and!prevent!children!from!taking!risks!we!are!not!encouraging!children!to!persist!at!challenging!tasks,!by!removing!the!challenges!we!are!not!developing!resilience!in!our!children.!A!great!deal!of!children’s!selfGesteem!comes!from!their!belief!in!their!own!skills!and!abilities,!belief!that!we!support.!!Liam!and!Callum!are!playing!together!in!the!garden.!Each!child!has!a!soft!play!cube!which!they!carry!up!to!the!top!of!the!slide.!Craig!sits!on!his!cube!to!slide!down,!but!the!surface!of!the!slide!is!not!slippery!enough,!the!cube!sticks!and!Callum!continues!down!alone.!Liam's!cube!has!a!strap!and!a!buckle,!which!he!has!secured!around!his!waist.!I!ask!him!whether!he!thinks!his!cube!will!slide.!(I!envision!the!cube!sticking!and!Liam!tumbling!over).!However!I!ask!how!he!feels!about!it,!to!which!he!replies!positively!'My!cube!won't!stick'.!He!

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takes!off,!and!makes!the!descent!down!the!slide!with!cube!attached.!'I!told!you',!he!proudly!declares.!'And!you!were!right!'!I!smile.!(

Risk(and(Challenge!We!support!the!concept!of!children!taking!risks!and!challenges.!Risk!taking!in!play!allows!the!children!the!opportunity!to!demonstrate!their!competence;!it!requires!instant!judgments!about!danger!and!about!safety,!and!some!planning!and!foresight.!Ultimately!the!child!is!in!control!and!their!safety!depends!on!what!they!do.!!We!would!argue!that!in!a!‘riskGfree’!environment!adults’!expectations!can!remain!low!as!children!do!not!have!the!chance!to!demonstrate!their!competence!–!we!should!aim!for!‘as!safe!as!necessary,!not!as!safe!as!possible’!children!should!be!offered!the!opportunity!to!explore,!experiment,!try!things!out!and!take!risks.!!Children!are!not!necessarily!competent!in!all!areas!and!may!benefit!from!out!‘adult’!experience,!we!can!support!them!if!we!are!concerned!about!a!risk!they!are!about!to!take.!!In!the!centre!there!are!opportunities!for!children!to!play!unsupervised.!We!have!discovered!that!unsupervised!play!enables!children!to!take!risks,!think!through!decisions,!gain!confidence!and!increased!resilience.!!Health(Promoting(School!As!a!Health!Promoting!School!we!believe!children!deserve!to!be!given!the!freedom!to!play!and!exercise!in!safety!enjoyed!by!previous!generations.!The!media!informs!us!of!rising!obesity!levels;!it!is!therefore!essential!that!we!expand!the!opportunities!for!selfGmotivated!and!challenging!play!outdoors.!Outdoor!play!impacts!on!mental!health!as!well!as!physical!health.!Play!outdoors!develops!friendships,!reduces!social!isolations!and!gives!children!a!sense!of!autonomy!and!control,!all!important!features!of!mental!and!physical!well!being.!!A!group!of!children!are!throwing!a!bean!bag!in!the!garden!when!it!becomes!stuck!on!the!window!ledge!of!my!office.!'Oh!no!'!exclaims!a!voice,!"Lynn,!help!us.'!I!wander!over!and!survey!the!situation.!'I!wonder!what!we!can!do?'!I!muse.!The!children!all!talk!at!once,!swapping!ideas!and!suggestions.!They!begin!to!collect!the!bread!crates,!forming!a!pile!and!attempting!to!climb!them.!With!each!crate,!a!different!child!climbs!atop!it,!trying!to!reach!the!window!ledge.!I!watch!quietly,!ready!to!assist!if!needed,!but!not!interfering!with!their!scheme.!They!determine!that!the!crates!are!just!not!high!enough.!!!'We!need!something!big!'!exclaims!Joe,!'really!big!'!Together!he!and!I!find!a!bamboo!pole!in!the!cupboard.!He!attempts!to!climb!atop!the!crates,!pole!in!hand,!quickly!determines!the!difficulty,!so!asks!a!friend!to!hold!it.!Once!the!summit!is!reached,!he!asks!for!the!pole,!and!with!a!little!waving!about,!dislodges!the!bean!bag!and!sends!it!falling!to!the!ground.!His!friends!cheer!as!he!climbs!down,!flushed!with!his!success.!I!could!have!helped!them!by!getting!the!bean!bag!down,!but!where's!the!learning!in!that?!!At!Cowgate!we!are!continually!in!discussions!about!how!we!trust!children,!honing!our!skills.!We!know!our!children!and!know!their!capabilities,!we!trust!them!to!express!how!confident!they!feel!about!taking!a!particular!risk,!but!most!importantly!we!need!to!relinquish!our!control!over!situations.!If!we!want!'confident!individuals'!willing!to!embrace!risk!and!challenge!then!we!need!confident!adults!who!have!a!deep!understanding!of!the!issues!surrounding!risk!and!play!which!goes!way!beyond!a!narrow!'health!and!safety'!agenda.!What!I'm!sure!none!of!us!want...!!"And* then* the* day* came*when* the* risk* to* remain* tight* in* a* bud* was*more* painful* than* the* risk* it* took* to*blossom"!(Anais!Nin)!!!(

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Involving(young(children(in(the(risk(benefit(assessment(process((

!Learning!how!to!be!outdoors!requires!frequent!practice!over!a!period!of!time.!It!is!easy!when!discussing!safety!matters!to!focus!on!the!“don’ts”.!Instead!focus!on!what!children!can!do,!the!benefits!of!routines!and!expectations!around!behaviour.!!This!should!not!be!laborious.!However!it!may!be!worth!considering!these!possibilities:!

A!brief!discussion!or!activity!at!the!start!of!a!play!session!to!remind!children,!e.g.!“Wet!wood!is!slippery,”!or!!“Are!there!any!trees!which!may!not!be!safe!to!climb!in!this!weather?”!

OnGgoing!observation!and!intervention.!You!may!not!see!all!the!risks!at!the!start!of!the!session!so!appropriate!reminders!can!help!when!a!child!is!about!to!enter!a!risky!situation.!This!is!known!as!“dynamic!risk!assessment”!

Visual!signs!to!help!children!remember!rules!and!routines! Use!small!world!props!and!equipment!and!tell!a!story!around!the!routines!and!safety!awareness!needed!

Younger!children!often!need!to!do!rather!than!discuss.!A!“Tell,*Show,*Do”!approach!works!well,!with!an!adult!on!hand!to!offer!help!by:!

G!Giving!firm!suggestions!in!simple,!explicit!and!respectful!ways!G!Offering!words!of!encouragement!and!constructive!feedback!which!acknowledges!a!child’s!efforts!!

G!Helping!them!to!persevere!!G!Using!compliments!to!confirm!things!they!have!done!well.!

!!“If*the*next*generation*enter*the*workplace*having*been*protected*from*all*risk*they*will*not*be*so*much*risk*averse*as*completely*risk*naïve.”!Judith!Hackitt,!Chair,!HSE!!

!Preparing!children!to!acquire!new!skills!requires!an!awareness!of!what!these!skills!involve.!!Be!ready!to!break!a!task!down!into!simple!steps,!and!explain!why!you!choose!to!work!in!a!particular!way.!Be!specific!about!safety!rules:!

Tell!the!children!what!you!are!going!to!do.! Let!children!watch!you!as!you!explain!the!safety!aspects.! Answer!questions!and!show!pictures!or!written!instructions!for!the!activity,!sharing!tips!such!as!how!to!move!around!with!equipment!and!how!to!cross!uneven!ground!

Let!them!try!the!activity!with!your!support!in!the!outdoor!area!and!school!grounds.! Gradually!allow!as!much!independence!as!the!children!can!manage!safely.! If!some!activities!are!just!for!adults!then!give!the!children!clear!reasons!for!this.!!

This!may!appear!a! lot!of!work,!but! it!gives! the!children!a!chance! to!see,!hear!and! learn!about! the!risks,!which!arise!with!the!activity.!Children!will!only!learn!about!wet!wood!being!being!slippy!if!they!have!a!chance!to!play!with!it,!and!discover!how!to!walk!gently!and!carefully!on!it.!!!!!“There*are*those*who*are*so*scrupulously*afraid*of*doing*wrong*that*they*seldom*venture*to*do*anything.”!!Vauvenargues!!!!!!!!


Creating(Adventure(in(your(Outdoor(Play(Provision((adapted!from!Dirty*Teaching:*A*Beginner’s*Guide*to*Learning*Outdoors,!Chapter!6!by!Juliet!Robertson)!

!Think!about!adventures!you!had!in!your!childhood.!What!made!an!activity!or!experience!adventurous?!When!you!ask!children!or!adults!these!questions,!different!responses!may!arise!such!as:!

There!needs!to!be!an!element!of!the!unknown,!of!discovery! A!bit!of!risk!and!often!excitement! There!may!be!obstacles!to!be!overcome!in!some!shape!or!form! Something!unexpected!happening!in!an!ordinary!situation!like!walking!down!the!street! Experiencing!for!real!or!recreating!adventures!read!about!in!books!such!as!Tom!Sawyer,!Enid!Blyton’s!Famous!Five,!Swallows!and!Amazons,!The!Hobbit!

Doing!things!that!are!not!allowed! That!there!is!a!story!surrounding!it!in!some!way!or!a!narrative!is!created! It!is!about!doing!things!independently,!whether!that!is!with!friends!or!alone! One!person’s!adventure!will!be!very!different!to!another.!

!There!is!general!agreement!that!children’s!perceptions!of!adventure!is!likely!to!be!age!related!or!follow!some!form!of!developmental!progression.!For!little!children!finding!“treasures”!by!digging!in!a!mud!patch!can!be!a!great!adventure.!Many!children!who!are!a!little!older!find!mystery!and!detective!work!a!key!part!of!their!adventure.!Exploring!the!local!area!by!themselves!is!often!cited!as!an!adventure!by!ten!to!twelveGyear!olds.!One!Czech!friend!described!his!teenage!adventures!sleeping!rough!in!the!nearby!woodland!wondering!if!the!nearby!noises!were!wild!boars.!!!Thus!the!starting!point!has!to!be!finding!out!what!children!consider!to!be!an!adventure!and!what!holds!their!interest.!Creating!adventures!in!learning!or!making!learning!an!adventure!can!spring!from!here.!Often!as!not,!adventure!is!a!frame!of!mind!as!much!as!a!physical!experience.!!!Present*activities*in*the*spirit*of*an*adventure!*How!we!present!outdoor!activities!to!children!can!make!the!difference!between!a!mundane!activity!and!a!one!which!ignites!children’s!interest!and!curiosity.!Sobel!(2008,!p21)!points!out,!“If*I*suggested*to*my*children*that*we*were*going*on*a*walk,*they*complained.*However,*if*I*opened*with*‘Let’s*go*on*an*adventure,*’*they*were*much*more*recruitable.”!!!!Model*a*sense*of*adventure*Be!up!for!improvisation!and!the!use!of!drama!to!create!adventures!outside.!The!Mantle!of!the!Expert!is!an!approach!to!learning!and!teaching!which!allows!adventures!to!happen!anywhere.!For!more!information!visit!http://www.mantleoftheexpert.com!!!Very!often!the!interruptions!and!unexpected!happenings!that!occur!outside!can!be!used!spontaneously!for!mini!adventures.!For!example,!when!the!grass!cutters!appear,!or!a!person!is!seen!walking!by,!then!these!can!be!incorporated!into!the!events!happening!within!a!Mantle!of!the!Expert!approach.!!Also!look!for!opportunities!to!include!surprises!and!unexpected!twists!and!turns!in!a!series!of!events.!Have!a!look!at!the!Storyline!method!which!works!well!when!outside!activities!are!included!http://www.storylineGscotland.com!!!


!Use*questions*and*discussions*to*promote*a*positive*attitude*towards*adventure*Thinking!about!our!language!and!how!we!create!dialogue!can!make!a!difference.!The!Adventures*in*Nature!book!(2008)!is!the!powerful!and!childGcentred!account!of!a!project!developed!by!nursery!teachers!from!the!Italian!city!of!Verona.!They!develop!two!adventures!with!their!classes!every!year!“to*promote*autonomy*and*to*encourage*in*children*an*interest*in*exploring*the*world*that*surrounds*them.”!(p,,,)!Attention!is!focused!upon!the!“words!of!adventure”.!The!teachers!cite!the!“importance*of*everyday*words*and*language*which*promoted*a*positive*attitude*towards*adventure*in*fictional*activity*and*talk.”!Through!an!actionGbased!research!project,!conversations!between!children!and!their!teachers!were!recorded!to!analyse!and!observe!whether:!

Children!were!asked!for!their!views! Given!time!to!express!themselves! Children!were!invited!to!think!about!what!they!might!experience! OpenGended!questions!were!asked!

!The!adventures!usually!begin!with!children’s!interests!in!matters!such!dark!places!or!water!and!have!ended!up!with!a!group!exploring!a!cave!or!rafting!down!a!river.!**Give*children*time*to*reflect*upon*an*adventurous*experience**This!allows!the!story!of!the!adventure!to!be!consolidated!and!shared!and!for!the!children!involved!to!add!their!thoughts!and!feelings.!This!can!add!to!the!memory!and!sense!of!adventure.!!!!ReZtell*events*in*an*adventurous*way*Think!about!a!time!you!have!sat!next!to!a!friend!retelling!a!mundane!event!who!manages!to!make!it!into!the!most!amazing!adventurous!experience.!Adventurous!reGtelling!can!be!a!lot!of!fun.!Often!real!adventures!provoke!a!higher!quality!of!writing!!!The*role*of*place*School!grounds!and!local!areas!may!not!seem!like!the!setting!for!adventures!to!happen.!So!many!are!flat!squares!of!tarmac!and!playing!field.!But!sometimes!everything!is!not!as!it!seems!!To!make!a!place!more!adventurous!does!not!necessarily!require!a!high!ropes!course,!a!rapid!river!and!a!jungle!setting.!After!all,!Alice!went!down!a!rabbit!hole!to!have!her!adventure!in!Wonderland!!!!!Map*out*potential*adventure*spots*Get!your!children!to!find!and!mark!on!a!map!and!photograph!all!the!dark!places!which!exist!in!your!school!grounds.!Ask!your!class!what!else!might!be!deemed!adventurous!places!and!note!these!too.!This!might!include:!

The!dangerous!parts!of!the!playground! Doors!which!are!locked! Forbidden!areas!or!places!that!are!outGofGbounds! Scary!places! Unknown!places!within!the!school!or!school!grounds! Holes!of!different!sorts! Tunnels!and!archways!! Dens,!nooks!and!crannies! Places!that!are!full!of!surprise,!the!unknown!or!the!unexpected!!


This!can!lead!onto!similar!discussions!about!the!local!area!and!what!adventures!the!children!have!had!there.!Be!prepared!for!some!surprises!!Be!up!for!exploring!some!of!these!places!with!your!class.!Remember!that!these!places!can!be!springboards!for!learning!adventures!inside!too.!!!!Create*stories*around*features*in*your*school*grounds*One!outdoor!centre!where!I!worked!had!named!lots!of!the!features!in!its!grounds.!These!all!had!a!story!and!a!history!behind!them,!much!made!up!from!ongoing!work!with!visiting!children.!For!example,!two!cedar!trees!growing!round!a!rock!was!the!place!we!told!the!tale!of!a!woman!who!equally!loved!two!suitors.!When!she!prayed!for!mercy!to!the!gods,!she!was!turned!into!a!boulder.!The!trees!were!both!her!suitors!who!vowed!they!would!not!leave!her!side.!In!sympathy!the!gods!turned!them!into!trees.!!During!Swedish!Skogsmulle!sessions!for!young!children,!the!leaders!will!use!a!combination!of!folk!tales,!stories!relating!to!the!key!nature!characters!and!natural!features!in!the!ground.!For!example,!when!passing!by!a!large!stone!on!a!step,!one!leader!stopped!and!looked!for!a!little!fairy.!After!seeing!that!he!wasn’t!there,!she!picked!up!a!birch!leaf!from!the!ground!and!exclaimed,!“Aha!–!he!has!left!a!letter.!It!says!he!has!gone!to!visit!his!cousin!in!Northern!Sweden.”!!!Make*your*school*grounds*more*physically*adventurous*There!is!an!increasing!body!of!research!which!suggests!that!natural!play!spaces!with!trees,!willow!structures,!dens,!a!range!of!surfaces,!different!changes!in!height!and!levels!upon!which!to!play!benefits!children’s!cooperative,!social!and!physical!skills.!OpenGended!materials,!which!are!called!“loose!parts”!are!also!readily!available!for!children!to!use!in!these!spaces!aid!creative!and!imaginative!play.!These!include!wooden!disks,!sticks,!guttering,!tyres,!tarpaulins!and!access!to!water.!!!In!the!mediumGtoGlong!term,!look!at!improving!your!school!grounds!to!create!a!childGfriendly!adventurous!playspace.!The!best!step!here!is!to!contact!Learning!through!Landscapes!www.ltl.org.uk!!or!other!school!ground!charity!that!advocates!a!participative!approach.!Their!professional!advisors!have!lots!of!ideas!and!!suggestions!which!truly!involve!children!in!the!whole!process!from!start!to!finish.!This!is!another!adventure!in!itself!!!!Keep*the*end*open*there!is!nothing!like!a!bit!of!mystery!and!the!sense!of!the!unknown.!As!a!child!I!used!to!hate!the!afternoon!walks!my!mum!insisted!we!took.!But!I!was!always!up!for!a!“Penny!Walk.”!This!is!where!you!flip!a!coin!every!time!you!reach!a!road!junction.!If!the!coin!shows!its!head!on!landing,!you!turn!right.!If!the!tail!shows,!you!go!left.!We!never!knew!where!we!would!end!up!and!we!would!have!a!lot!of!fun!guessing.!!A!similar!activity!involves!“following!your!nose”.!When!walking!with!a!group,!you!may!not!have!a!set!destination!but!simply!decide!by!consensus!or!otherwise!which!path!to!take.!!!Both!these!activities!can!be!followed!up!back!inside!by!challenging!children!to!see!if!they!can!accurately!retrace!the!journey!using!Google!Earth!and!the!ruler!application.!!!Gently*stretch*children*out*of*their*comfort*zone*This!can!be!achieved!in!several!ways.!Sometimes!spending!a!whole!day!outside!is!a!new!challenge!for!some!children!!Care!is!needed!with!opportunities!to!review!reflect!on!what!happened.!!


!Activities!which!prepare!children!for!offGsite!adventurous!activities,!e.g.!playing!blindman’s!buff,!setting!up!a!blindfold!trail,!undertaking!a!series!of!activities!in!a!darkened!room!prior!to!going!on!a!caving!activity.!!Have!team!races!using!planks!of!wood!and!rope!to!make!caterpillar!skis!and!create!snow!shows!from!cardboard!squares!to!test!out,!prior!to!going!on!a!winter!residential!visit.!!

Exploring!dark!places.!This!can!be!a!homemade!den!made!with!lots!of!dark!materials.!Or!hold!a!winter!celebration!such!as!a!Dark!Sky!party!to!enjoy!the!constellations!and!other!night!sky!activities.!!

Blindfold!walks!and!trails! Exploring!a!new!place! Using!older!children!to!model!activities!which!stretch!the!students! Going!to!new!places.!This!may!not!involve!physical!risk!! Walking!off!path,!!

!!Explore!opportunities!for!adventurous!activities!for!your!class!and!use!these!to!develop!other!skills!back!at!school.!Do!remember!that!some!of!the!activities!may!need!to!be!led!by!a!suitably!qualified!instructor.!Check!with!your!local!authorities!adventurous!activities!policy!and!guidelines!for!school!excursions:!

Tunnels! Caves! Wondering!what!is!behind!a!door! Dungeons!and!dark!places!in!castles! Contrasting!forests! Orienteering!or!finding!a!‘hidden’!castle!or!other!feature!in!a!woodland! Hills!which!can!be!climbed!for!a!view!or!very!tall!towers!and!skyscrapers! Legitimate!opportunities!to!explore!offGpath! Night!time!or!dark!activities! Spending!a!whole!day!outside!!

!This!is!about!creating!anticipation!within!your!teaching.!The!children,!and!sometimes!you,!the!teacher,!do!not!know!what!is!going!to!happen!when!you!start!out.!!!Given!that!most!teacher!are!not!qualified!to!teach!adventurous!activities!such!as!rock!climbing!or!sailing,!the!challenge!is!to!create!anticipation!and!a!sense!of!adventure!within!the!outdoor!activities!you!are!competent!to!facilitate.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Acquisition(of(new,(specialist(and(transferable(skills((To!be!creative,!critical!thinkers,!acquiring!skills!matters.!It!is!about!developing!proficiency!that!enables!further!explorations!and!discoveries!to!be!made.!Skills!are!acquired!through!repetition!and!practice.!So!the!schemas!observed!in!young!children’s!play!is!one!way!of!developing!the!skills!required!for!later!on.!With!people!who!have!achieved!great!things,!much!of!this!is!down!to!lots!of!practice!and!repetition.!Think!about!how!many!times!Mozart!practiced!and!the!experience,!knowledge!and!understanding!of!music!he!built!up.!!!Skills!related!to!subject!areas!and!work!can!be!acquired!through!outdoor!experiences!that!cannot!be!learned!or!practiced!inside.!Skills!learned!in!context!become!more!relevant!and!applicable!across!a!range!of!situations.!For!example!in!one!rural!island!school,!pupils!were!involved!in!a!beach!clean!up.!Using!flotsam!and!jetsam!picked!up,!the!children!made!rope!crosses!for!Easter!to!give!as!gifts!to!the!older!members!of!the!community.!Many!of!the!pupils!were!from!fishing!backgrounds!so!skills!in!tying!knots!to!make!the!crosses!was!a!life!skill!for!them.!!

“A*‘skill’,*in*its*narrower*sense,*is*an*acquired*capability*that*enables*an*individual*to*engage*in*particular*activities.*It*is*the*ability,*competency,*proficiency*or*dexterity*to*carry*out*tasks*that*come*from*education,*training,*practice*or*experience.*It*can*enable*the*practical*application*of*theoretical*knowledge*to*particular*tasks*or*situations.*‘Skill’*is*also*applied*more*broadly*to*include*behaviours,*attitudes*and*personal*attributes*that*make*individuals*more*effective*in*particular*contexts*such*as*education*and*training,*employment*and*social*engagement.”*p31,!Building!the!Curriculum!4.*!

Key!points! The!need!for!practical!contexts!to!develop!a!wide!range!of!skills! Children!should!be!aware!of!and!understand!the!value!of!the!skills!they!are!developing! Children!need!to!reflect!on!how!they!are!developing!their!skills,!identify!next!steps!and!understand!how!the!skills!can!be!used!in!their!lives,!in!and!out!of!school!!

Partnership!working!is!essential!to!meeting!children’s!needs!in!terms!of!skills!development!!Key!skills!

Literacy! Numeracy! Thinking!skills!! Skills!for!health!and!wellbeing,!including!personal!learning!planning,!career!management!skills,!working!with!others,!leadership!and!physical!coGordination!and!movement!skills!

Skills!for!enterprise!and!employability.!!

(

Developing(skills(outside((

Literacy(and(numeracy(

Going!outside!provides!opportunities!for!authentic!learning!in!the!real!world.!For!example!children!can!visit!a!shop!and!buy!snack!with!money.!They!can!reGtell!the!event!as!a!story!or!give!directions!about!how!to!get!to!the!shop!from!the!setting.!This!can!be!developed!further!through!role!play!opportunities!in!the!outdoor!space.!Creative!STAR!Learning!Company!runs!outdoor!literacy!and!maths!courses!which!can!give!more!ideas!here.!!!Thinking(Skills(

Practitioners!need!to!challenge!children!to!think!more!deeply!and!more!widely!and!in!more!


systematic!and!sustained!ways.!There!are!many!ways!of!doing!this!and!a!range!of!approaches!is!advised.!Below!are!some!of!the!common!approaches:!!Thinking!skills!can!be!developed!across!a!range!of!contexts!including!through!more!practical!or!applied!learning!opportunities.!This!is!based!upon!Bloom’s!Learning!Taxonomy4:!

Remembering!involves!such!activities!as!recall,!recognition!or!locating!information! Understanding!might!involve!activities!such!as!describing,!explaining,!summarising!and!translating!

Applying(requires!the!learner!to!use!or!apply!their!knowledge!and!understanding!in!different!contexts!

Analysing(requires!learners!to!break!down!information!into!component!parts!and!search!for!relationships!

Evaluating!involves!making!an!informed!judgement!about!something,!for!example!an!issue!or!method.!Activities!such!as!comparing,!appraising,!prioritising,!rating!or!selecting,!could!involve!learners!in!evaluating!

Creating!happens!when!learners!are!required!to!generate!new!ideas!and!products!through!activities!such!as!designing,!creative!writing,!planning,!reconstructing,!inventing,!formulating,!producing!and!composing!

!!Ask*questions*that*challenge*children’s*thinking!By!using!questioning!effectively!we!can!develop!children’s!higher!order!and!creative!thinking!processes!when!reflecting!on!outdoor!play:!

1!Knowledge!What*happened*when*you*were*playing*on*the*bikes?**2!Comprehension!Why*did*it*happen*that*way?!!3!Application!What*would*you*have*done*when*….*happened?!!4!Analysis!Which*part*did*you*like*best?**5!Synthesis!Can*you*think*of*a*different*way*of*doing*that?**6!Evaluation!What*did*you*think*of*the*bike*activity?*Why?!

!!Give*children*cooperative*challenges*and*problems*to*solve*Children!are!given!a!challenge!which!requires!collaboration!with!others.!Practitioners!should!help!children!to!plan!and!evaluate!their!own!and!others!strategies.!The!practitioner!gets!the!children!to!think!about!their!thinking!through!asking!such!questions!as!‘What!do!you!think!we!are!going!to!have!to!think!about?’!and!‘How!did!you!get!your!answer?’!or!‘What!made!you!think!that?”!!Remember!that!the!availability!of!large!loose,!openGended!parts,!such!as!bread!creates,!guttering,!denGmaking!materials,!tyres,!wooden!blocks,!boxes,!etc!often!get!children!working!together!quite!naturally!in!a!cooperative!way!through!their!free!play.!!!Apply*visual,*auditory*and*kinaesthetic*opportunities*when*planning*and*developing*a*range*of*outdoor*play*experiences*

Visual!–!learning!best!through!pictures,!charts,!diagrams:!seeing!examples!and!ideas,!watching!how!others!do!something!

Auditory!–!learning!best!through!listening! Kinaesthetic!–!learning!best!through!being!physically!engaged!in!a!task.!Young!children!often!have!a!stronger!disposition!towards!this!style!

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Use*De*Bono’s*six*thinking*hats*According!to!Edward!de!Bono!we!tend!to!think!in!restricted!and!predictable!ways.!To!become!better!thinkers!we!need!to!learn!new!habits.!His!teaching!strategy!known!as!‘thinking!hats’!helps!learners!try!different!approaches!to!thinking.!Each!‘thinking!‘hat’!represents!a!different!way!to!think!about!a!problem!or!issue.!Children!are!encouraged!to!try!on!the!different!‘hats’!or!approaches!to!a!problem!to!go!beyond!their!usual!thinking!habits!(de!Bono!1999).!The!‘hats’or!thinking!approaches,!together!with!questions!you!might!ask,!are!as!follows:!!

White!hat!=!information!What*do*we*know?!Yellow!hat!=!positives!What*are*the*benefits?*Black!hat!=!problems!What*are*the*drawbacks?!Red!hat!=!feelings!What*do*we*feel?!Green!hat!=!creativity!What*ideas*have*we*got?!Blue!hat!=!control!What*are*our*aims?!

!Some!teachers!have!found!it!a!useful!technique!for!encouraging!children!to!look!at!a!problem!or!topic!from!a!variety!of!perspectives.!It!encourages!us,!and!our!children,!to!think!creatively!about!any!topic!and!to!ask:!‘Is!there!another!way!of!thinking!about!this?’!!Mind*Mapping5*A!mind!map!is!made!up!of!words,!colours,!lines!and!pictures.!Outside!this!may!well!involve!real!objects.!With!very!young!children,!try!and!avoid!just!words!and!lines.!It!needs!to!be!pictorial!and!multiGsensory.!!(

Practical(tasks(to(get(children(thinking(creatively(outside(

!!“Children!need!creative!thinking!to!face!the!challenges!of!the!present!and!the!future.!Creativity!is!about!bending!the!mind!to!new!ideas!and!possibilities.!It!can!be!applied!to!all!subjects!and!developed!in!any!child.!All!children!are!born!with!creative!ability!but!need!a!creative!climate!and!practice!in!creative!processes!to!develop!creative!potential.!The!creative!process!requires!stimulus,!opportunities!for!exploration,!planning!activity!and!review.!Creative!outcomes!can!be!judges!in!terms!of!fluency,!flexibility,!originality!and!elaboration.!Stimulus!for!creativity!includes!stories,!brainstorming,!designing,!drawing,!word!play,!games!and!puzzles.”6!!!

Encourage!collaboration!and!children!working!together!to!think!about!solutions!when!problems!arise!

Have!resources!that!encourage!cooperative!play,!e.g.!tricycles!that!work!best!when!two!or!more!children!use!them,!big!ropes,!using!beeGbots!in!group!activities,!dens!building,!etc.!!

Eye!Spy!Lots!of!Things!with!my!Eye.!Children!have!to!look!around!outside!and!come!up!with!as!many!objects!as!possible!that!start!with!the!same!letter!or!sound.!Which!initial!letter/sound!is!the!most!common!outside?!

Blending!Categories.!Ask!children!to!state!how!many!things!outside!are!yellow.!Write!them!down.!How!many!things!are!transparent?!Write!these!down.!How!many!are!yellow!and!transparent?!Can!children!think!of!other!objects!both!that!they!can!see!or!know!about!but!can’t!see!that!are!both!yellow!and!transparent.!!

Acrostics.!Create!simple!acrostics!based!on!objects!seen!in!the!environment,!e.g.!Leaf!=!Lovely,!Elegant,!Autumnal!Foliage!

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""5!Buzan,!T.!(2003)!Mind!Mapping!for!Kids:!An!Introduction!!6!Fisher,!R.!(2005)!Teaching!Children!to!Think!p52!


See!how!many!ways!you!can!use!an!object!outside,!e.g.!a!stick,!stone,!leaf,!box!or!a!blanket.!This!works!well!after!reading!a!book!like!“The!Stick!Man”!by!Julia!Donaldson!

How!many!natural!objects!can!fit!into!a!match!box?!! Think!of!3!ways!to!improve!a!leaf! Draw!a!squiggle!on!the!ground!or!in!sand.!Swap!with!a!friend!and!turn!it!into!a!drawing.!This!activity!can!be!done!where!children!move!from!picture!to!picture!adding!in!a!line!or!feature.!

Give!children!a!title!for!a!chalk!drawing!or!land!art!activity!and!see!what!they!come!up!with.!! Model!the!idea!of!coming!up!with!titles!for!everything,!for!example,!a!den!could!be!called!“A!room!with!a!view”,!the!hose!pipe!“Big!squiggle!the!snake”,!etc.!!

Make!a!big!speech!bubble.!Go!around!the!outdoor!space!or!school!grounds!and!imagine!what!different!objects!would!say!if!they!could!talk.!Write!this!on!the!bubble.!Take!a!photo.!A!good!starting!point!for!this!activity!is!“Too!Much!Talk”!by!Angela!Shelf!Medearis.!

Find!something!interesting.!Children!find!an!object!and!then!use!it!to!tell!a!story.!This!can!be!done!in!a!small!group!where!children!pass!the!story!line!on!from!one!to!the!other!

Connections.!Each!person!with!their!talking!partner!should!find!two!objects.!Ask!them!to!make!a!connection!between!the!two,!e.g.!stick!and!stone.!Both!can!be!thrown.!Or!you!can!write!with!a!stick!on!a!stone!using!water.!

Have!discussions!outside,!such!as!“Which!is!worse,!getting!lost!or!losing!something!precious?”!“Which!would!you!rather!be!a!stick!or!a!stone?”.!The!answer!is!bark.!What!could!be!the!questions?!!

*De*Bono’s*Thinking*Skills*

PMI!–!Plus,!minus,!interesting.!Find!a!natural!object!and!tell!someone!a!good!thing!about!it,!a!bad!thing!about!it!and!an!interesting!thing!about!it.!

C&S!–!Consequence!and!Sequel.!Children!need!training!in!thinking!about!the!consequences!of!an!action.!Do!this!when!out!and!about!when!the!moment!arises.!What!would!happen!if…!G We!stepped!out!onto!the!road!without!looking!G We!ate!the!berries!on!this!bush!G We!moved!the!sandbox!to!this!part!of!the!outdoor!space!

AGO!–!Aims,!goals!and!objectives.!Children!need!to!be!aware!that!human!actions!often!have!a!purpose.!Very!often!children!do!something!because!everyone!else!is!doing!it!or!as!a!reaction!to!a!situation.!Use!it!for!planning!with!children!such!as!a!visit!offGsite!or!planning!a!celebration!

FIP!–!First!Important!Priorities.!After!brainstorming!ideas,!children!need!to!decide!which!are!the!most!important.!For!example,!if!the!children!find!a!worm,!they!might!come!up!with!all!sorts!of!ideas!as!to!what!to!do!with!it.!Deciding!on!the!most!important!priority!is!helpful!

OPV!G!Other!Points!of!View.!This!can!be!a!lot!of!fun!with!children.!As!well!as!encouraging!children!to!listen!to!each!others!points!of!view!during!a!dispute,!it!can!be!used!for!inanimate!objects!or!animals.!For!example,!would!you!like!to!live!under!a!log?!What!about!the!wood!louse,!what!do!they!think!about!living!under!the!log.!Do!you!think!it’s!good!that!trees!lose!their!leaves!in!Autumn?!What!do!you!think!the!tree!thinks!about!this?!

!!Thinking*Photos*Let!groups!of!children!take!a!photo!of!something!interesting!outside.!Print!this!out!and!discuss…!

What!is!happening!in!the!photo!–!are!there!different!possibilities?! Hide!the!photo!and!get!children!to!describe!it!without!looking.! Give!the!photo!a!title.!Think!of!an!alternative!title.!Think!about!the!best!title.! Generate!questions!for!other!people!to!answer!about!the!photo.! What!might!be!hidden!from!the!view!within!the!photo!or!beyond!the!photo!frame.!This!can!be!fun!to!draw!as!an!art!activity.!

*


****Design*options*Speculative!design!is!helpful!to!prepare!children!for!practical!design!tasks.!It!helps!children!plan!and!record!their!thoughts.!Encourage!children!to!draw!and!design!things!for!the!outdoor!space!such!as:!

A!machine!to!dig!tunnels! A!fruitGpicking!machine! A!secret!den! A!home!for!a!pet! A!scarecrow! A!climbing!frame! A!litter!bin!

!

!

Communication((!The!ability!to!communicate!is!a!necessary!part!of!creativity.!Being!outdoors!can!encourage!a!quiet!child!to!chatter.!Much!outdoor!work!relies!on!group!collaboration.!Here!are!some!ideas!to!encourage!talking!outside:!!

Create!small!group!spaces!in!quiet!parts!of!the!outdoor!area.!Add!cushions,!soft!blankets!and!make!it!a!cosy!gathering!place.!Add!some!interesting!objects!and!observe!what!children!think,!reflect!and!do!here.!

Add!interesting!edges!to!different!features.!For!example,!add!stones!around!the!bottom!of!containers.!Create!sensory!patches!such!as!a!circle!of!logs!where!the!surface!can!be!changed!within!the!circle.!

Develop!collections!of!objects.!For!example,!have!a!box!or!suitcase!in!a!wee!nook!with!a!collection!of!spoons,,!keys!or!small!world!objects.!See!how!the!children!react.!How!do!you!value!their!discoveries?!

Blur!the!boundaries.!Create!little!zones!and!areas!within!your!outdoor!space!by!clever!use!of!lattice!work,!planters!and!other!natural!features.!By!creating!paths!behind!bushes,!this!creates!a!feeling!of!greater!space!and!sense!of!exploration!for!children.!What’s!round!a!corner!for!children!to!discover?!

Make!interesting!gathering!spaces.!Give!children!chairs!they!can!move!about!outside!and!see!where!they!move!them!and!how!they!use!them.!Mow!circles!within!long!grass!to!create!temporary!gathering!spots.!

Create!winding!pathways.!This!can!be!temporary!using!wooden!discs!or!permanent!features.!! Have!a!firepit!!There!is!nothing!like!a!campfire!for!talking,!sharing!ideas!and!chatting.! Allow!for!treasures!to!be!discovered.!Scatter!a!few!shells!into!gravel.!Have!cones!mixed!into!the!bark!chips.!All!this!adds!to!the!interest!and!intrigue!of!outdoor!spaces.!

Create!a!story!telling!space.!It!can!be!a!chair!with!a!special!cloth.!You!may!only!sit!in!the!chair!if!you!are!willing!to!tell!a!story.!Have!props!such!as!dressing!up!clothes,!puppets!and!books!nearby.!

Build!a!childGheight!enclosed!spaces.!This!may!involve!crawling!to!get!into.!Children!can!create!their!own!miniature!dens.!No!adults!allowed!!

Add!in!semiGopen!spaces!such!as!bushes!and!places!where!children!can!peek!through!but!still!feel!a!sense!of!privacy!!

!


Time(to(relax(and(let(the(focus(go((!The!state!of!the!brain!is!hugely!important!for!creativity.!It!is!hard!to!be!creative!when!there!is!a!continued!focus!only!on!a!task.!The!powerful!subGconscious,!where!much!creativity!resides,!is!suppressed.!Often!the!best!ideas!come!when!there!is!not!a!focus!on!the!problem,!but!engagement!in!some!other!less!pressured!activity.!Having!spaces!and!time!for!quieter!relaxation!and!observation!of!people!and!nature!are!important!to!nurture!creativity.!!Being!outdoors!can!provide!opportunities!for!reflection.!!

Provide!spaces!for!children!to!be!alone!outside!–!a!chair!round!the!side!of!a!hut!for!example,!or!cut!space!under!a!bush,!just!big!enough!for!one!child!to!crawl!into!

Leave!children!alone!and!do!not!feel!the!need!to!interrupt!their!alone!time!until!unless!they!clearly!need!attention!

Teach!children!in!P1!about!their!special!place!–!a!magic!spot!where!they!can!go!to!be!alone.!Build!up!a!bank!of!activities!which!children!can!do!in!their!magic!spot!

!!Undertake!reflective!activities!in!nature!such!as:!

!!!If!there!is!a!bridge!over!some!water,!drop!some!leaves!and!watch!them!float!downstream.!If!you!are!very!lucky!you!can!cross!to!the!other!side!of!the!bridge!and!watch!them!float!out.!Again!and!again!!

Hold!leaves!up!to!the!sky!with!the!sun!behind!you.!Look!at!the!patterns!they!make.!Perhaps!you!can!find!a!leaf!with!a!hole!in!it!!

!Lie!or!sit!down!and!look!up!at!the!branches!of!the!trees.!Watch!the!leaves!move!in!the!breeze.!(Do!not!do!this!if!it!is!very!windy).!!

Sit!or!lie!down!in!a!place!where!you!can!watch!the!wind!move!through!the!grass!and!flowers.!The!longer!the!grass!or!flowers,!the!more!they!will!wave!and!move!with!the!wind.!

On!a!fine!spring!or!summer!morning!walk!barefoot!through!dewy,!wet!grass.!! !!!Sprinkle!seed!on!water,!e.g.!a!puddle!and!watch!it!float!and!disperse.!Swirl!the!water!with!a!stick!and!look!at!the!patterns!you’ve!made.!If!you!can’t!find!seeds!naturally!then!buy!some!birdseed!to!use.!!

!!Wave!watching.!Find!a!warm!or!sheltered!spot!to!sit!and!watch!the!waves.!! !!Find!a!shell!where!you!can!hear!the!sea!when!you!hold!it!to!your!ear.! !!Feel!how!soft!and!sometimes!tickly!a!feather!can!be.!Watch!how!it!falls!to!the!ground.! !!!Fly!a!kite! !!!Look!into!rock!pools!and!see!what!you!can!find! !!!On!a!sunny!day,!find!a!big!leafy!tree!to!sit!under!and!play!or!sleep.!Look!at!the!dappled!shadows!made!by!the!trees.!!

!!!Low!flying!birds.!Watch!swallows,!house!martins!or!swifts!in!the!summer.!If!they!are!flying!high!then!the!weather!forecast!looks!good.!If!these!birds!are!flying!low!then!the!weather!will!be!worse!the!next!day.!!

!!!On!a!very!frosty!morning!or!just!after!it!has!been!raining,!go!on!a!spider!web!hunt.!The!webs!should!be!easy!to!spot.!If!you!are!very!gentle,!it!is!possible!to!blow!on!the!web!and!watch!the!vibrations.!See!how!the!spider!reacts.!

!!!Look!at!reflections!in!puddles!and!ponds.!! !!!Drop!tiny!stones!in!puddles!and!watch!the!ripples! !!!Find!a!big!leaf!to!wrap!up!a!stone.!Have!fun!wrapping!and!unwrapping!the!stone.!

(

(


The(potential(and(development(of(the(outdoor(space(as(a(place(to(enrich(

creative(learning(and(teaching(!Creative!thinking!skills!are!fostered!when!learners!are!given!authentic!tasks!that!are!relevant!and!which!have!a!real!purpose.!Developing!an!outdoor!space!is!an!ideal!context!for!this!to!happen.!Involving!children!in!the!process!provides!opportunities!for!them!to!take!real!responsibility,!think!creatively!and!take!action.!!!In!terms!of!fostering!creativity,!schools!and!centres!in!all!sectors!may!wish!to!consider:!• Giving!children!the!opportunity!to!take!ownership!of!their!outdoor!space!by!generating!ideas!for!

their!development!and!then!being!involved!in!an!interdisciplinary!project!to!implement!their!vision.!!

• Consider!the!potential!of!the!grounds!for!learning!through!exploration!and!discovery!across!the!curriculum!areas?!Provide!different!surfaces,!textures!and!multiGsensory!experiences.!Create!unusual!features!in!interesting!places!using!outdoor!art!and!craft!designed!and!made!by!learners.!

• Develop!more!adventurous!activities!in!outdoor!spaces.!This!helps!develop!selfGconfidence!and!measured!risk!taking.!Allow!for!progressive!challenge!and!risk!taking.!

• Providing!places!where!children!and!young!people!daydream!outdoors,!invent!imaginary!games,!role!play!and!read.!Nooks,!crannies!and!quiet!corners!give!learners!places!to!be!alone.!Careful!planting!of!trees!and!shrubs!is!one!way!to!do!this.!

(

(What!skills!do!children!learn!outside!that!cannot!be!replicated!indoors?!

(

(

(

Developing(Imagination(–(The(Theory(of(Loose(Parts7(!Imagination!is!central!to!developing!creative!thinking!whether!it!involves!seeking!a!single!solution!or!a!number!alternatives.!Developing!a!capacity!to!imagine!the!consequences!of!a!particular!action!helps!with!innovation.!The!outside!world!provides!experiences!and!events!that!feed!the!imagination!and!provide!many!settings!for!creative!thought.!!!The!theory!of!“loose!parts”!was!first!proposed!by!architect!Simon!Nicholson8!in!1971.!Over!the!years,!it!has!begun!to!influence!childGplay!experts!and!the!people!who!design!play!spaces!for!children!in!a!big! way.! Nicholson! suggested! that! it! is! the! 'loose! parts'! in! our! environment! that! empowers! our!creativity.!!Loose! parts! are!materials! that! can! be!moved,! carried,! combined,! redesigned,! lined! up,! and! taken!apart!and!put!back! together! in!multiple!ways.!They!are!materials!with!no!specific! set!of!directions!that!can!be!used!alone!or!combined!with!other!materials.!This!openGendedness!is!very!important!to!support!the!development!of!creativity,!imagination,!symbolism!and!resourcefulness.!!Loose!parts!can!be!natural!or!synthetic.!In!an!outdoor!environment!we!can!provide!an!array!of!loose!parts!for!use!in!play!such!as:!""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""7"adapted!with!permission!from!Jennifer*Kable’s*blog,*“Let*the*Children*Play”*http://progressiveearlychildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/*"8"Nicholson,!S.,!"How*Not*To*Cheat*Children:*The*Theory*of*Loose*Parts",!Landscape!Architecture,!v62,!p30G35,!1971."


Fabric!e.g.!sheets,!curtain,!netting!

Sticks!&!twigs! Wood! Pallets!&!planks! Gravel!

Balls! Buckets! Baskets,!suitcases!&!bags!

Crates! Nets!

Boxes! Logs! Hose!and!piping! Flowers! Water! Stumps! Sand!

Rope! Tyres! Shells! Seedpods! Mud! Cones!! Stones!

!Having!"loose!parts"!available!in!a!play!space!allows!children!to!use!these!materials!as!they!choose.!Once!children!awaken!to!the!potential!of!loose!parts!you!will!find!that!children!will!play!with!these!materials!that!they!can!use!and!adapt!as!they!please!at!least!as!much!or!if!not!more!than!expensive!pieces!of!play!equipment.!!Encouraging! children! to! use! resources! as! they! choose! can! provide! a!wider! range! of! opportunities!than! one! that! is! purely! adult! led.! Children! playing!with! loose! parts! are! using!more! creativity! and!imagination!and!developing!more!skill!and!competence!than!they!would!playing!with!most!fixed!toys.!!For! example,! consider! a! child! who! collects! a! pile! of! conkers! and! begins! to! play.! The! conkers! can!become!anything!the!child!wants!them!to!be.!Maybe!they!will!be!used!with!the!cooking!props!in!the!sandpit!as!ingredients,!or!with!the!trucks!as!a!load!of!bricks.!By!contrast,!a!toy!car!is!a!“fixed”!toy!in!that!it!will!almost!always!be!used!simply!as!a!car.!!Being!able!to!cart!materials!from!one!area!to!another!allows!kids!to!make!connections!and!use!their!imaginations.!Whilst!careful!zoning!helps,!the!ability!to!transfer!materials!between!play!zones!makes!a!difference.!!As!play!providers,!we!need!to!ask:!

Can!the!materials!or!environment!we!offer!be!used!in!many!ways?!! Can!it!be!used!in!combination!with!other!materials!to!support!imagination!and!develop!creativity?!!

Are!the!materials!freely!accessible?!! Am!I!allowing!children!to!make!connections!in!the!play!environment?! Do!children!have!enough!uninterrupted!time!to!develop!deep!play!outside?!

!When!children!play!in!a!space!or!with!an!object!they!experience!it! in!a!unique!way.!They!view!it! in!terms!of!its!'affordances',!rather!than!its!common!use.!The!'affordances'!of!an!object!or!space!are!all!the!things!it!has!the!potential!to!do!or!be.!A!table!offers!the!child!a!jumping!deck,! if!turned!upside!down!a!boat,!and!if!on!its!side!a!protective!wall!that!becomes!part!of!a!fort.!These,!and!all!the!other!'affordances'!of!the!world!adults!take!for!granted,!are!discovered!and!elaborated!upon!through!play.!!It!may!take!a!very!open!mind!on!our!part!(there!is!often!a!lot!of!cleaning!up!involved!as!materials!end!up!in!places!you!would!never!expect!them!to!be)!but!when!children!cross!play!materials!and!areas!in!creative!ways,!it!is!our!responsibility!to!support!and!encourage!their!work!and!ideas.!"

!""""""


When(is(a(toy(a(toy?(

!With!loose!parts,!confusion!may!arise!because!the!materials!are!not!toys.!A!bread!crate!is!designed!and!manufactured!to!be!used!as!a!bread!crate.!It!was!never!designed!to!be!used!as!a!toy.!Therefore!the! Toy! Safety! Standard! BS! EN! 71! does! not! apply.! The! BS! EN! 71! Directive! defines! a! toy! as! “any*product*designed*or*intended,*whether*or*not*exclusively,*for*use*in*play*by*children*under*14*years*of*age.”!There!are!some!exceptions!to!this,!such!as!Christmas!novelties.!!!There!are!lots!of!resources!and!products!that!are!used!in!schools!and!homes!which!are!not!toys.!For!example!paper!and!pencils!are!not!toys,!yet!we!give!them!to!children!to!use!on!a!daily!basis.!We!may!even!show!children!how!to!make!paper!boats!and!aeroplanes!to!be!used!as!toys.!!!Children!need!to!experience!using!products!which!are!not!toys.!It!is!necessary!to!learn!how!to!live!in!a!world!which!is!ungovernable!by!safety!standards!for!every!facet!of!our!lives.!For!example,!learning!how!to!use!scissors!is!a!useful!skill.!Being!able!to!change!a!light!bulb!is!something!many!children!can!quickly!pick!up.!!!Children!learn!best!when!they!are!able!to!play!freely.!They!need!to!be!able!to!use!real!resources!in!their! play,! not! just! toys.! Many! education! approaches! such! as! the! Steiner! Waldorf! system! or!Montessori!classes!advocate!the!need!for!real!experiences!in!order!to!acquire!life!skills.!Playing!with!a!variety!of!loose!parts!assists!with!this!approach.((!Have!procedures!in!place!for!the!management!and!use!of!loose!parts!including:!

G A!system!for!checking!and!preparing!all!resources!prior!to!their!use!by!children.!G Suitable,!accessible!storage.!G A! system! for!managing! the! loose!parts!which! includes!on! going! care! and!maintenance! and!

disposal!of!worn!or!broken!parts.!G An! ongoing! risk! benefit! assessment! of! loose! parts! play! which! can! be! integrated! into! the!

nursery’s!approach!to!Health!and!Safety.!!(

Scrapstore(Playpods(and(Imagination(Playgrounds(

!These!play!projects!have!taken!the!concept!of!loose!parts!and!developed!them!further.!Scrapstore!playpods!are!collections!of!unwanted!materials!donated!to!schools!for!play!purposes.!The!YouTube!videos!is!wellGworth!watching!and!sharing!with!others!G!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqi1KyJJeKg!!Imagination!Playgrounds!are!specifically!designed!loose!parts!from!a!company!in!America.!What!makes!these!unique!is!the!use!of!the!materials!in!combination!with!sand!and!water!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHVAn7SdmbU!!!!Storing(and(managing(loose(parts(

!Little!loose!parts!like!cones!and!shells!can!easily!get!scattered!outside.!Think!about!how!these!will!be!made!available!to!children!and!the!routines!for!managing!them.!The!approach!of!both!the!Scrapstore!Playpods!and!Imagination!Playgrounds!is!that!they!are!composed!of!large!loose!parts!which!are!much!quicker!to!tidy!away.!Also!generally!the!parts!are!simply!put!into!a!general!box.!Damp!material,!etc.!should!always!be!removed!and!allowed!to!dry!out!each!night.!


!!Springboards(and(Play(Prompts(

(

Many!children!come!from!home!environments!where!there!may!not!be!many!loose!parts.!Sometimes!starting!points!and!stimuli!are!needed!to!help!children!get!started!playing!imaginatively.!This!might!include:!!

Children!to!painting!stones!which!can!then!be!used!in!play! Having!dens!set!up!and!made!to!look!inviting.!Sometimes!just!a!piece!of!material!put!over!a!bench!outside!can!spark!interest!

Setting!up!a!simple!rope!course!that!gets!children!moving!over!and!under! Modeling!play!imaginatively,!for!example,!pretending!that!leaves!are!letters!sent!from!a!fairy! Attractive!and!accessible!presentation!of!resources.!For!example!always!present!natural!materials!in!baskets!or!unbleached!cotton!bags!or!jute!

Using!books!or!seasonal,!cultural!and!community!events!as!stimuli! Setting!up!small!world!scenarios!and!using!these!to!tell!a!story!

!!What(about(other(resources(such(as(cars,(soft(toys(and(jigsaws(which(have(a(more(fixed(play(

purpose?(

Don’t!throw!these!out!!Simply!be!aware!of!the!contribution!of!each!and!every!toy!to!children’s!play.!For!example,!block!play!is!often!more!creative!without!the!addition!of!small!world!figures.!However!many!children!love!the!combination.!Audit!your!resources!and!ensure!there!are!lots!of!loose!parts!too.!!!How(effective(is(imaginative(play(outdoors?(

It’s!important!to!evaluate!the!imaginative!play.!Take!the!time!to!observe!individuals!or!small!groups!of!children,!listening!closely!to!what!they!are!saying.!!!

How!involved!are!the!children!and!are!they!keeping!well?!! Which!types!of!roleGplay!generate!the!most!interest!and!sustained!involvement!by!the!children.!For!example!are!children!very!focused!on!roleGplay!around!bicycles!and!wheeled!toys?!Or!is!it!the!play!happening!in!and!around!dens!that!really!gets!children!involved?!

How!complex!is!the!play!observed?!Does!it!involve!a!range!of!learning!experiences?!If!not,!how!can!this!be!developed!or!extended?!

What!are!children!actually!doing!during!their!imaginative!play!and!what!do!they!seem!to!be!thinking!about!through!this?!

What!new!skills,!knowledge!and!competencies!are!the!children!demonstrating!in!their!imaginative!play?!

!!!

"To*climb*a*tree*is*for*a*child*to*discover*a*new*world."!Froebel,!Education!of!Man!1826!!

(

(

(


APPENDIX(1:(USEFUL(RESOURCES(AND(ORGANISATIONS(

( Have!a!look!at!the!Woods!for!Learning!Case!Studies!on!the!Education!Scotland!website!which!gives!examples!of!how!different!preGschool!settings!are!going!offGsite!into!greenspace!on!a!regular!basis!http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/w/woodsforlearning/index.asp!!

Download!the!Forest!School!Leaders!Pack.!This!has!lots!of!ideas!and!possible!lines!of!development.!This!is!the!Early!Years!Section:!http://www.foresteducation.org/images/uploads/forest_school_scotland_4.pdf!!

!!BOOKS(

There!is!a!listmania!“Nature!Kindergartens!and!Early!Years!Forest!School”!that!has!been!set!up!on!Amazon.!This!has!a!good!list!of!books!http://www.amazon.co.uk/lm/R2IZX7662QFX8T/ref=cm_pdp_lm_title_1!!!For*reflection*and*further*information*Adventures(in(Nature!by!Children!in!Scotland!(2008)!ISBN!978G1G901589G78G8!This!book!describes!the!inspirational!nursery!project!which!took!place!in!Verona.!Using!the!local!natural!environment!and!the!children’s!ideas!and!interests,!they!embarked!upon!a!series!of!adventures,!looking!for!castles!in!the!woods,!exploring!caves!and!even!rafting!down!a!river.!(

Last(Child(in(the(Woods!by!Richard!Louv!(2005)!ISBN!978G1565G125223!This!bestselling!book!has!started!the!growth!of!a!movement!dedicated!to!reconnecting!children!with!nature.!It!is!a!worthwhile!read!for!any!adult!who!works!with!children.!!Nature(Play(–(Simple(and(Fun(Ideas!for(All!compiled!by!Roger!Worthington!2008!Crown!Copyright.!Available!from!www.forestry.gov.uk/england!!A!very!useful!book!for!those!who!want!to!create!play!areas!using!natural!materials.!!A!useful!set!of!books!which!cover!creativity!and!critical!thinking!are!from!Learning!UnLimited!and!written!by!Ian!Smith!(2006):!

Teaching*for*Understanding* Learning*to*Think* Fostering*Creativity*

!Nancy!Stewart!(2011)!How*Children*Learn:*the*characteristics*of*effective*early*learning!Early!Education.!Really!useful!research!references!and!explicit!links!between!the!role!of!the!adult!within!the!EYFS!Framework!!Anni!McTavish!(2013)!Playing*and*Exploring!Practical!Preschool!Books!Helen!Moylett!(2013)!Active*Learning!Practical!Preschool!Books!Di!Chilvers!(2013)!Creating*and*Thinking*Critically!Practical!Preschool!Books!!!!!!!!


HEALTH(AND(SAFETY(WEBSITES(AND(USEFUL(DOCUMENTS!• London!Play!http://www.londonplay.org.uk/!has!huge!amounts!of!practical!advice!on!all!

aspects!of!risky!play.!(

• Play!England!(2012)*Managing*Risk*in*Play*Provision(This!document!looks!at!the!process!of!risk!benefit!assessment!and!a!balanced!approach!to!managing!risk!in!children’s!play!spaces.!http://www.playengland.org.uk/resources/managingGriskGinGplayGprovisionGimplementationGguide.aspx!(

(

• Playlink!http://www.playlink.org/!This!independent!organisation!has!various!guides!and!downloadable!resources.(

(

• The!Child!Accident!Prevention!Trust!www.capt.org.uk!((

• Toyguard!http://toyguard.co.uk/!This!is!a!preGschool!hygiene!company!based!in!Scotland.!They!have!free!downloadable!resources!relating!to!hygiene,!such!as!looking!after!sandpits.(

!• The!Health!and!Safety!Executive!website!www.hse.gov.uk!is!a!huge!source!of!information.!

Health!and!Safety!Educationis!!the!first!port!of!call!on!the!HSE!website.!http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/!!and!their!Risk!Education!website!http://www.hse.gov.uk/education/!It!includes:(

School!trips!and!outdoor!learning!activities!–!Tackling!the!health!and!safety!myths!http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/schoolGtrips.pdf!!Myth!of!the!Month!section!which!dispels!assumptions!made!http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/!!Five!Steps!to!Risk!Assessment!–!www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg163.pdf!Sensible!risk!management!G!http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/principles.htm!A!useful!section!of!HSE!website!which!aims!to!reduce!paperwork(

(

• Royal!Society!for!the!Prevention!of!Accidents!has!some!sensible!and!straightforward!advice.!http://www.rospa.com/!((

• The!“Group!Safety!at!Water!Margins”!leaflet!provides!useful!advice!for!working!near!water:!http://www.rospa.com/leisuresafety/Info/WaterSafety/groupsafetyGwatermargins.pdf!(

(

• School!trips!and!outdoor!learning!activities!–!Tackling!health!and!safety!myths.!This!information!is!UKGwide!and!applicable!to!Scottish!schools.!http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/schoolGtrips.pdf!((

• Tim!Gill!–!Rethinking!Childhood!http://rethinkingchildhood.com!!A!very!useful!website!from!one!of!the!UK’s!leading!thinkers!and!writers!on!risk!and!childhood.!(

!• Gill,!T.,!(2007)!No*Fear:**Growing*up*in*a*risk*averse*society!Calouste!Gulbenkian!Foundation!

ISBN!978G1G903080G08G5!This!little!book!examines!some!of!key!issues!with!regard!to!children’s!safety.!!It!advocates!a!philosophy!of!resilience!and!how!to!strike!a!balance!between!protecting!children!from!genuine!threats!and!giving!them!rich,!challenging!opportunities!through!which!to!learn!and!grow.!!!

• Gill,!T.!(2010)!Nothing!Ventured:!balancing!risks!and!benefits!outdoors!http://www.englishoutdoorcouncil.org/wpGcontent/uploads/NothingGVentured.pdf!This!is!about!outdoor!adventure!education!but!useful!parallels!exist!with!the!play!sector.!


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Documents

Creative & Critical Thinking Outdoors EYcreativestarlearning.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Creative... · environment!which!supports!and!encourages!creative!thinking!and!play!makes!a!difference.!