When I started teaching, one of the first things I noticed was that preschoolers were slackers. While the older children were busy in their classrooms, the youngest pupils – my pupils – were taking it easy, playing outside in the sand and mud. That’ll never do, I thought. I’ll soon whip them into shape. There …
Developing fine motor skills through outdoor play Read More »
Do you remember the nature table at school? Some autumn leaves, a handful of conkers and some acorns? Or, in the spring, a vase with a branch of blossoming cherry? There was something magical about it, it drew you in. These common objects, things you passed by on your way to school every day, had …
Children find water play endlessly fascinating and will happily spend hours experimenting with the materials. Which slope works best? What happens if you add mud to the water? What about stones? To build your own ‘water-park’, start with a length of guttering and a jug of water. Later on, you can add further lengths of guttering, drainpipes, …
Is there anything more enchanting than watching a child discover the wonders of nature? The crunch of leaves underfoot, the charm of a ladybug landing on a finger, the joy of a freshly woven daisy chain; nature play is a truly magical part of childhood. It is an essential part of your child’s development, tapping …
Have you thought about how you’ll get through those long summer holidays? Do you have a patch of ground outside your back door, even if it’s just a patio? Yes? Then I have the answer: digging. All you need is a spade (or a shovel, sand and a tuff spot if your space is completely …
While we don’t want to encourage parents to wilfully put your child in dangerous situations, we do also believe that children who are allowed to assess and take their own risks make more confident, curious learners, who can confront their fears and understand they are in control of their own destiny. So much of the …