Learning Through Play
The importance of play in the early years can not be underestimated, and whilst a muddy puddle suit and a set of wet wellies and socks certainly tell us fun was had, we also know these types of activities help our children to develop skills for life.
Loose Parts Play
Our extensive Nursery gardens are filled with opportunities for what we call ‘Loose Parts Play’. These are materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, and taken apart and put back together in multiple ways. Playing with ‘loose parts’ develops imagination, team building skills, assessing risks, experimenting and problem solving.
We often see sticks becoming fishing rods, walking sticks, hurdles or ladders! Self-confidence and cooperation improve as children work together and share ideas – it takes more than one person to create an adventure.
Being outdoors gives children a chance to take risks. With supervision, the children can explore activities without being sure of what the outcome will be – it could be jumping from a height, or it could be as simple as trying to balance on a tyre.
Inside the classroom, the learning continues. Our children can explore our many building blocks, let their imagination run wild in the house corner, and even investigate a dino dig in the sand pit.
Next
Emotional and Physical Wellbeing
Learning and playing in this way helps our children regulate their emotions and develop resilience. The disappointment of their creation falling down is quickly replaced by the realisation that they can make it all over again which might be even bigger and better! Working with these resources also strengthens muscles and improves physical fitness from lifting, flipping and carrying tyres, crates, planks, bricks and ropes.
