We take the children to local groups and classes, as well as outings to the beach, parks and sealife centre.
The benefits of outings are endless. Being outside allows children to express themselves freely where there are not any space constraints meaning children can jump, shout and explore to their hearts content. The sense of freedom that playing outdoors brings is fantastic for a child’s development, both physically and mentally. Children who learn to play outdoors are much more likely to continue to enjoy outdoor activities such as walking, running and cycling as they get older. Learning in an outdoor environment allows children to interact with the elements around us and helps them to gain an understanding of the world we live in. They can experience animals in their own surroundings and learn about their habitats and lifecycles. Giving children outdoor learning experiences offers them a chance to talk about what they have done with their friends, teachers and parents. The extra space offered by being outdoors will give children the sense of freedom to make discoveries by themselves. They’ll begin to understand what they can do by themselves and develop a ‘can do‘ attitude, which will act as a solid foundation for future learning. Being outdoors provides children with more opportunities to experience risk-taking. They have the chance to take part in tasks on a much bigger scale. They can learn to make calculated decisions such as ‘should I jump off this log?’.