Posts by gwen

The idea of actively encouraging children to play in mud makes the colour drain from many parents’ faces. We get it – everybody will definitely need a thorough wash by the end! But the benefits for kids and their development are huge. Need persuading? The benefits include:  Emotional Development (encouraging creativity through drawing, painting, and…

Do you remember being lost in imaginative play when you were a child? Living in a dream scenario that you, and perhaps your friends, had built together?  Den building is an age-old pastime that is still just as pertinent to a child’s development today as it ever was. Den building often takes place outdoors, allowing…

Bug hotels, wildlife stacks, insect houses, minibeast motels – these fun and fascinating nature projects go by many different names. As well as encouraging kids and adults to get creative outside, bug hotels are a great way to learn about local creepy crawlies. They also improve the biodiversity of your garden, helping plants and flowers to grow.

while most adults garden to relax or beautify their homes, this hobby can have a huge positive impact on the growth, fulfilment and wellbeing of children.

We are all conditioned to see the value of time spent outdoors. From being small children we’re told that a bit of ‘fresh air’ will ‘do us good’, or ‘tire the children out’. But what is the true value of outdoor play?

We’re beginning to see that models of education based around rote learning and based within the confines of a classroom don’t suit every individual’s needs. Society as a whole is also beginning to recognise the holistic value of the education setting for its ability to instill personal and social values, nurture relationships and create associations that prompt positive well-being for children as they grow.

Outdoor learning is one of the most fun and engaging things you can do with children. They benefit so much from the fresh air, from letting off a bit of steam and from learning all about the many joys that nature has to offer. When planning an outdoor learning area, it’s easy to focus on…

Photo by Katherine Hanlon on Unsplash Sensory play is important for the cognitive development of all children but it’s especially vital for children with autism and other special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In essence, sensory play is any activity that stimulates a child’s senses while involving movement and balance. The benefits of sensory play…

Are you looking for some inspirational outdoor learning activities for your little ones? Then look no further. Here are six fun, educational ideas for inspiring a love of the outdoors, whatever the weather. Photo by Ben Wicks on Unsplash 1. Make a bug hotel. This absorbing activity is great for children of all ages. To…

Outdoor play is fundamental to the social development of every child and the garden is a unique and special place that offers a retreat into the natural world. Designing a garden for a school, nursery or playgroup – or simply breathing new life into the family garden – is a wonderful way to guarantee that…