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Leaf printing is a fun and sensory way for young children to explore nature, colours, shapes and textures. By using real leaves and paint, children can create unique patterns while developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This activity also helps children to develop an understanding of seasonal changes and encourages curiosity about the natural world. 

Being with nature is so much more than just popping outdoors. Whether in a woodland, walking around the garden, or spending time by the seaside, being with nature involves immersing ourselves in the moment and engaging with the wonderful natural space around us.  

Risky play is all about providing the environment and means for children to test these limits in a safe and supportive way. Knowing of the presence of a ‘safety net,’ a familiar person, doesn’t eradicate any sense of danger or anxiety but helps to promote the positive feelings of curiosity and adventure instead.

We’re going to ‘think outside the box’ and explore how we can use outdoor spaces to teach maths outdoors.

We know that children learn more physical skills in their first five years than at any other time in their lives and that indoor and outdoor physical activity is a key building block for health and wellbeing. Daily physical activity is critical for a young child’s overall health and wellbeing.

Risky play goes against the most basic instinct of a professional working in early education and care: to keep children safe is paramount to our job. But, paradoxically, risky play actually promotes everything best practice in early education and care stands for too: creating engaging and stimulating environments that test boundaries, sustain and expand confidences in individual ability and provide opportunities to grow. 

The outdoor environment is a wonderful resource - an ever-changing canvas for creativity, imagination and exploration. It offers endless opportunities for children to express themselves, experiment with materials and engage their senses while connecting with the natural world. Inspire your team to see the outdoors as a source of inspiration and creativity for your little artists. Check out our top tips for outdoor art inspiration.

To highlight the importance of physical activity in the early years.

From the colours we use to the way we use furniture in the setting, taking time to reflect on our use of physical space in the setting can be beneficial for the children and staff working in the space.

The natural environment is ever-changing. Every interaction we have is unique and allows us to explore new opportunities we never knew possible… much like working with babies!