Report RE: soil?

Original Post

by: Millie

Hi lil emz

 That is so sad, can you not have team meetings in order to brainstorm what indoor play can be extended outdoors?  A simple extension for example to enhance Knowledge and Understanding of the world - is when children write or make marks in the home corner that has been adapted as an office, this can be extended outdoors by the children making a post box, this can be sited outdoors, crossings, lolipop person outfits and lolistick (probably has a correct name, but I do not know it!) zebra crossings can all be made and the children can use bikes and trikes. 

On the subject of soil though, I agree with the others soil can be protected in some areas by putting a cover of it.  So why not extend writing outside for the younger ones, by aiding them to mark make in soil - letters, numbers etc., 

Also extend stories, such as "Were going on a bear hunt", trays filled with gravel to make the sound of crunching underfoot, we have used shaving foam and crushed ice together to create the feeling and look of snow, made huge trees with the children a papier mache cave for the bear. 

It takes time and effort from the team and staff to liaise together to make a creative fun learning environment.  But that learning environment needs to be fun so that children learn and experiment through play.

Just by simply observing children you can plan around their individual interests.  I went to one nursery who extended Easter around a child's interest in dinosaurs, they made huge papier mache eggs, and gave out of various materials, straw and paper leaves which they themselves arranged to be kind to the dinosaur inside the cave.  They read Dinosaur roar outside the classroom - this play is voluntary, a member of staff does not force the issue, but was on hand to interact with the children when they visited the cave during the time they were outdoors.

I am afraid that half the time outdoors is not accessed enough down do some Managers having no inovation, not listening to the needs of their team, or keeping abreast of current research and theory (although we all know that outdoor play provides a wealth of developmental pluses). Sometimes it is down to simple laziness. I do know some settings have no access to outdoors.  But come September one of the EYFS requirements is to ensure that they do provide access by some means.

But above all a few Managers (not saying all!) wonder why some children are badly behaved - namely boys.  Boys need different learning opportunities, they need to run, kick, jump, get dirty and above all explore.  Practitioners need to provide for these children and have an open outdoor policy, so that they can not only let off steam, but continue to learn in an outdoor environment at their own pace, not dictated by ridget indoor routines with half an hour outdoor play a day, which is not enough.

I suggest you try and have more team meetings and challenge current practice.  Good luck and have fun with the children.

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