Features

Harnessing the outdoors as a natural teacher

Annette Rawstrone looks at the different health, developmental and educational benefits of learning outdoors
Research shows children enjoy higher levels of physical activity in green outdoor spaces.

Spring flowers have started to emerge, so children at Little Forest Folk's Wimbledon nursery are building fences around them with sticks and string to protect them from being trampled on. Others are using iPads to research the flowers and investigate what they will look like when they are in full bloom.

While the flowers are only starting to come out now the weather is getting warmer, the children at Little Forest Folk – which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year – are outside throughout the seasons.

Founders Leanna and James Barrett opened their first setting with ten children in a muddy field to address the disconnect between children and nature in London. Parents are increasingly recognising the health, developmental and educational benefits of outdoor learning and there are now eight Little Forest Folk nurseries. The group was acquired by Bright Stars Nursery Group two years ago and its first setting outside of the capital opened in National Trust grounds in Winkworth, Surrey, in January.

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