Grass Roots Early Years Provision
Grass Roots Private Day Nursery Tel:01422836280 grassrootsdaynursery@gmail.com
Grass Roots Preschool Tel:01422417659 grassroots.newroad@gmail.com
The Outdoor Area
at St. Peters
Young children need to be active to learn. Recent research has shown that movement is inextricably linked to learning. Children really do “move to learn and learn to move.” The outdoors offers them unique opportunities for growing and learning.
The outdoors is not just an area where children develop their physical skills, let off steam or have a break. Nor is it an area to go to as a ‘treat’ after the ‘real learning’ has been done inside. It is a place where much valuable learning can take place. Being outdoors should be an integral part of every young child’s day and an integral part of practitioners’ planning for the play and learning experiences for young children.
Our outdoor area has been developed with how important outdoor is play in mind.
Being outside is an exciting sensory experience for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Babies will enjoy the exciting visuals on offer as you take them for a walk outdoors. Toddlers and preschoolers love the chance to explore different spaces and touch natural objects - leaves, pine-cones and puddles included.
Playing outside is really important as it gives your little one the chance to look around and learn. While having fun outside is important, when children are outdoors it helps their development.
The areas we have are water play, sand, mud kitchen, construction, play frame with slide and stage/play house. The under 2's have a separate space on the decked area where they can play and explore, whilst still interacting with the older children.
We are constantly developing on the areas outside to include the children's interests and the seasons.
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Here are seven benefits of outdoor play (from the NCT website)
1. Help your baby sleep better at night
Research shows that babies sleep better at night if they’ve had some fresh air and sunshine during the day. Definitely worth a walk or play outdoors to help your baby sleep better.
2. Outdoor play is a fun way to learn
Getting outdoors to play is a brilliant sensory experience for babies and toddlers. There is so much for them to see, explore and learn. The changing nature of the outdoors makes it an incredibly stimulating and multi-sensory place to play. This is important as babies and young children learn and gain experience through all their senses.
3. Developing motor skills
Young children need the opportunity to use their whole body and develop their gross motor skills. Playing outdoors in your garden or local park lets babies crawl or toddle further. As they get older, they’ll have space to run and jump outside. They can also develop their fine motor skills as they pick up natural treasures like leaves and fir cones.
4. Encourages a healthy lifestyle
Getting outdoors with your toddler can help them burn off some energy and encourages a healthy lifestyle. Through physical activity and challenges, being outdoors helps children sleep, eat, and live more healthily. This encourages them to form healthy habits for life.
5. Care for the environment
Playing outdoors is a brilliant way to get out in nature and become aware of the environment. Children who gain knowledge and appreciation of nature are more likely to become environmentally aware adults.
6. Positive impact on the whole family
It’s amazing how fresh air can blow away the cobwebs and make a world of difference to how you feel as a parent. Even a short walk can do the world of good for the whole family. Especially on days after a sleepless night or when your child is feeling grumpy or grizzly at home.
7. Make new friends
Getting outside is also a good opportunity for parents to get some gentle exercise and meet friends.
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