Getting Started on Outdoor Learning

But before you start…

It is important to note that outdoor learning is not about creating a separate programme. Outdoor learning experiences for children need be intentionally planned as part of your existing programme or curriculum.

This could mean bringing your students on a nature trail walk after your storytelling activity of reading A Walk in the Forest.

It doesn’t have to be all on you too. Outdoor learning can be spontaneous and child-directed, or planned and teacher-directed, or it can be both.

Possible outdoor learning experiences

Make use of what is readily available in your immediate outdoor spaces or environment, particularly those that are of interest to your students. You want to have fun and teach them new experiences but not be caught up with a logistical nightmare.

We’ve seen various interesting outdoor learning activities from our clients through the LittleLives Portfolio feature, where schools can easily share lessons and learning moments.

1. Exploration with natural materials

Provide a variety of natural materials (e.g. soil, flowers, leaves) for children to explore. Through exploration, children work on their sensorial skills, develop their sense of curiosity and an interest in nature, and learn more about the materials and their properties. You could even ask your children to bring in the materials from home!

2. Pretend play

There are endless possibilities in the outdoors that can engage children in pretend play. Children can make use of playground structures, open-ended materials and natural materials for pretend play as they play in the outdoors.

Being the king of a playground castle? Why not.

3. Active physical play

The outdoors provides ample space for very young children to engage freely in active physical play to develop their fine and gross motor skills. These activities provide opportunities for children to develop and practise their fine motor skills, build their self-confidence and encourage social development.

It also burns their energy to prepare them for nap time later.

4. Art activities

You can give children opportunities to explore using different art and natural materials in the outdoors. There’s this thing about the ever-changing environment of the outdoors, the sunlight, shadows, and shades of colour of the leaves and flowers that brings out the creativity in children.

5. Gardening

Get their hands dirty!

Children should be given opportunities to participate in planting, harvesting, or simply observing the plants they have grown. Get children to grow edible plants and herbs and teach children where their food comes from. Gardening also allows children to come into close contact with small insects and birds.

This overall multisensory experience gives children meaningful opportunities to learn through doing and develops their sense of appreciation for the world around them.

6. Outdoor storytelling

You can enhance a typical storytelling experience by doing it outdoors, top it off with props that you could assign them to do beforehand. Choose stories that can make full use of the outdoor setting. Think about how listening to a story like “Taking a walk with nature” in the outdoors can enhance children’s experience as they see birds flying in the sky, hear the sound of rustling leaves and chirping birds, and feel the breeze blowing on their face.

7. Nature/neighbourhood walks

Bring your children on regular nature/neighbourhood walks. During these walks, children get up close and personal with nature and become familiar with their immediate surroundings. You can also find ways to stimulate their sense of wonder and curiosity, as well as extend their engagement during these walks. For example, you could try a nature bracelet activity.