Out to Play

Creating outdoor play experiences for children

The staff at West Kilbride Early Years Centre have taken part in a six week nature school course. During the course we examined the theory behind nature pedagogy and improved our understanding of the natural world. The staff team and the children explored nature in greater depth than ever before and learned how to intertwine natural resources with learning inside, outside and beyond to create inspirational learning opportunities for children.

We were able to explore the natural surroundings. We gained an understanding of how nature can provide us with a variety of resources and learning opportunities. As educators, we need to slow down: watch children fill themselves with all the possibilities of learning with nature and to allow children the time for a childhood full of excitement and joy inside, outside and beyond. We firmly believe that all children should be able to learn through and with nature.

It has been a pleasure to watch Dr Claire Worden. We have been inspired to get out into the forest garden and explore, investigate and to really look at what wonderful provocations we have in our garden.

Children have the right to play and learn - the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out in Article 31(1). Parties recognise the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life.

In Scotland, the Government has enshrined children's right to play outdoors every day in its national Health and Social Care Standards – As a child, I play outdoors every day and regularly explore a natural environment (HSCS 1.32)

Inspiring Scotland

Chief Executive Foreword

Playing and learning outdoors is life-enhancing. Jumping in puddles, playing hopscotch in the street, exploring your local wood and throwing snowballs with friends is not just the stuff of fond childhood memories. It is how children grow, learn and discover.

Playing outdoors is good for children's health and wellbeing, it develops their social skills and it helps with cognitive development, preparing them for a lifetime of learning. Research from around the world shows the huge benefits of playing outdoors. At Inspiring Scotland, we want all Scotland's children to have the best possible start in life. And we passionately believe that having fun outdoors from an early age is the best way we can help our children to thrive.