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The ability to engage in outdoor play, is vital for a child's development. The outdoor environment allows a child to explore their interests, inquiries, and imagination, in a safe and rich atmosphere.

Examples of ways that children can learn through outdoor play and exploration of the 8 learning domains include:

Approaches to Learning- As children explore feely, they stretch their engagement and attention maintenance with materials and the world around them. As children play and come across natural challenges, they build curiosity in learning and develop self-control skills.

Social and Emotional Development- As children engage outdoors, they explore and express their creativity, strengthening their interactions with others. This can look like art creation from trees and rocks, to pretending to be in an enchanted forest.

Language and Literacy- Outdoor play allows for natural building of language and communication skills. Children are introduced to words of the things they see like tree, leaves, dragonflies, meadow, etc. They are also introduced to concepts and things they may not be aware of, such as, wind, heat, and static electricity.

ELA- Being outdoors provides children with basic and common subjects and materials that create the foundations for shared experiences and explorations with peers and adults. (Children and adults can see, feel, and describe the grass, trees, dirt, ant, and clouds they are all seeing at the same time).

Cognition- Many materials exist in nature for children to count, sort, make patterns with, etc. Many of these concepts exist in nature on their own as well. (Pattern of butterfly wings, formation of ants or birds, number of flower pedals, etc.)

Physical Development- As children walk, run, climb, jump, skip rocks, throw, crush berries and flowers, etc. they strengthen fine, gross, locomotor, and perception- motor skills.

History/ Social Science- Children easily learn about time, place, and the world around them as they watch the seasons change, notice the differences in the sky from night to day, and notice the different surprises of nature (animals, plants, insects, colors, etc.)

Visual Performing Arts- Children explore art as they see nature's art created around them. They learn about different characteristics and compare and contrast concepts, items, and things. Children also learn the sounds of nature and how they can create sounds utilizing nature.

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McCarthy, C., MD. (2020, October 27). 6 reasons children need to play outside. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/6-reasons-children-need-to-play-outside-2018052213880

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According to Harvard University, there are 6 areas to keep in mind when considering the outdoor play experiences you will provide that are crucial to get children to get outside and play. These areas include sunshine, exercise, executive functioning, risk taking, socialization, and appreciation of nature (McCarthy, C., MD., 2020).

To address these areas, I will provide the following activities:

1. Mindfulness in the sun

2. Bike races and Hoola Hoops

3. 45 minutes free play with water and sand tables available

4. Outdoor obstacle course

5. Duck, Duck, Goose/ Fill the bucket

6. Worm dig/ Bird or Ant Watch

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Children of all ages will be able to participate in all activities at their own level as accommodations will be built in. These may look like different poses during mindfulness to address comfort levels, the option to scooter instead of ride a bike for races, or working with a partner during the obstacle course

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Group activities and special needs will be supported by having additional adults in the room to assist physically or verbally, support aides like labels and extension or grabbing devices, and water hoses with napkins to quick wash hands when needed for children with sensory sensitivities.

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The role of the teacher is to be a facilitator. The teacher should not direct learning, but guide and scaffold the learning that is already happening and birthed from the child's interests. The teacher will observe what is happening and remain available to assist a child to the next level of their learning. Examples of this include, providing a cup so a student can get more water into their sand volcano as opposed to using just their hands, or an extra push over an incline when in a wheelchair (the assistance only being for the point of incline, not before or after, as the student has mastered this ability).

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While the outdoors can be a fun and beautiful place, and while it is vital for a child's growth and development, it can also be dangerous. It is important to assess the outdoor environment every day, prior to use. This includes a daily walk around of the area to look for any dangers like glass or trash and ensuring there are soft areas under elevated structures.