WEEK 3 Why We Love Learning Outdoors

At Happy Kids, the outdoors is part of our learning environment.

There is something wonderfully unpredictable about being outside. The weather changes, the seasons change and nature constantly gives us something new to investigate.

Learning through nature

A walk through the garden can become an opportunity to notice tiny insects.

A pile of leaves can inspire sorting, counting, imaginative play or a discussion about colour.

A stick can become a magic wand, a spoon, a building tool or part of a den.

A puddle can lead to conversations about water, depth, floating, sinking and movement.

We don’t always need to provide a planned activity. Most of the time the environment provides everything children need.

All Year Round Forest School (Fridays, 9.10am - 12.10pm)

Our year round Forest School provides opportunities for children to explore nature, develop physical skills and experience manageable challenge.

Climbing, balancing, carrying, digging, collecting and building all contribute to children’s physical development and confidence.

There is also something important about allowing children to experience a little uncertainty.

“Can I do this?”

“What happens if I try?”

“How can I make it stronger?”

These are powerful learning moments.

The changing seasons

We love that the children can experience the changing seasons throughout the year at Happy Kids.

Autumn is particularly wonderful for outdoor exploration.

Leaves change colour and texture.

Conkers appear.

Seeds and berries can be discovered.

The air feels different and the landscape changes almost every day.

We encourage the children to notice and embrace these changes and the changes in temperature that come with each season, and to follow their own curiosity.

Most of the time the best learning opportunity isn’t something we have planned.

It is simply the thing a child suddenly notices and says:

“Look at that?!”

Happy Kids have a Level 3 qualified Forest School Leader. We are at John Leigh Park on Friday mornings, 9.10am to 12.10pm, throughout the year, term-time, having fun and learning to respect nature.

We're usually quite booked up but if you are interested in a place for your child drop us a line!