Playing and learning outdoor offer children the chance to run free and explore beyond a physical classroom setting which can sometimes feel constrained. This exposure to natural play is paramount in helping children to develop and nurture a positive mind, as it has been proven to improve their overall wellbeing. Even more, a lack of outdoor exposure can lead to a ‘nature deficit disorder’, which in children has been known to have links to behavioral concerns.
In this article, we’re going to share with you the benefits of outdoor learning and offer you examples of outdoor learning activities for early years that you could implement at your school or nursery that your pupils will love!
Embrace The Great Outdoors With Natural Play
It’s recommended by the NHS in their guide to Physical activity guidelines for children (under 5 years) that toddlers and preschoolers between the ages of 1-4 should have at least 3 hours of physical activity daily, and if more of it can be done outdoors, the better. When kids are at school and they have the opportunity to explore Natural Outdoor Play Equipment, having the right equipment in place can be a perfect way to get them outside and play for hours.
We know the great British weather can sometimes let us down with odd showers or downpours here and there, but whenever there’s a dry spout, the kids should always be out playing and exploring! It’s easy to come back and finish off an indoor activity, but making the most of playing and learning outdoors is a great opportunity for children to boost their Vitamin D and improve their mental well-being, as well as reduce the chances of nature deficit disorder. Through natural physical exercise, they’ll get plenty of that, simply from running around in a bigger space than an indoor classroom.
Therefore, on dry days, there’s no reason why the little ones can’t participate in outdoor play and learning Our wide range of Outdoor Classroom And Shelters are a brilliant way to maintain an exciting curriculum while making the most of being outdoors. At Red Monkey Play, we can help you create tables and chairs which can be neatly stowed away in a Playground Storage space as you build a classroom setting that your kids will love.
Furthermore, when it’s time for books to go away, children can explore their imaginations in a natural play setting and have plenty of fun with many of our Role Play Equipment options, as there’s really something for every explorer and adventurer out there! From an outdoor Kids Train to an enchanting Adventure Tower, our range of Natural Outdoor Play Equipment will boost their imagination and overall well-being in more ways than one.
At One With Nature
Children will enjoy touching and feeling outdoor textures which are to be entirely expected, whether it’s from hiding behind tree trunks to picking up leaves and twigs as part of a Woodland Trim Trail. After all, when synthetic materials are used to create a play environment can be quite misleading in preparing children for what they’ll see and touch outside of their playground or school setting, so natural play equipment is always the best choice.
Commonly associated with The Curiosity Approach, this exposure to nature play is increasingly becoming the norm and is extremely popular regarding outdoor playground equipment. That’s why all of our natural outdoor play equipment is made from solid and long-lasting materials like timber and wood.
Our natural collection is perfect for outdoor learning activities and hours of play, as it has everything from logs to bark to create real-life experiences for children as they explore their outdoor play settings. They’ll love getting their hands dirty in nature with our famous Outdoor Messy Kitchen, whilst you’ll love watching them whip up a batch of mud cakes or when getting creative on our Large Messy Play Table.
Both of these are great pieces of play equipment that will enhance your children’s fun and learning in the outdoors, as they also have plenty of storage for stocking up on sandbags and handy utensils. While they’ve got their hands nice and mucky, you can even teach them all about making compost with our fun Wormery for kids.
Why Invest In Outdoor Learning With Red Monkey Play?
The biggest benefit of natural outdoor play equipment is that children can learn many hands-on skills while enjoying the fresh air and hopefully some sunshine to boost their well-being. At Red Monkey Play, we have over twenty years of experience in hand-crafting bespoke Outdoor Playground Equipment for schools and nurseries. Our expert team works with you every step of the way to instill a love of learning and play for your children with bespoke equipment to fit your space and requirements that will inspire young minds.
For more information or advice on our products and services, please contact us either via email at hello@redmonkeyplay.co.uk or call our Leicester office on 0116 366 9922 to book your FREE consultation.
