Let’s Play: Creating Outdoor PLAY Spaces
Let’s Play!
Creating Outdoor Play Spaces
How do children express their ideas?
Where do children PLAY?
What is PLAY to children?
How can we inspire thinking for diverse learners?
The dictionary defines play as, ” The general word for any such form of activity, often undirected, spontaneous, or random: Childhood should be a time of play.”
How do children express their ideas? There are a million ways children express their ideas, feelings, and thoughts. When children are given permission to express their ideas, they grow into their own deeper connection to their emotional self.
Can children express their ideas outdoors? Inviting children into intentional outdoor learning play spaces provides unending opportunities for them to exercise their own discovery, wonder and curiosity muscles. Think about what learning stations you have in your outdoor space.
Where do children play? Everywhere! A child’s imagination is the heart of where he/she plays. A box becomes a boat, a stick becomes a wand and so on.
Where do children play outdoors? Much of our children’s outdoor play 
experience depends on any given outdoor space and the creativity of the Natural Teacher. From asphalt to green space, I believe any outdoor space can be transformed using a variety of Outdoor Learning stations and Garden Elements.
What is PLAY to children? Playing is child’s work and offers opportunities to problem solve and express ideas. In a world where children are becoming overscheduled and electronics are more prevalent, it is critical for children.
What is OUTDOOR PLAY to children? Could outdoor play be a spontaneous unstructured time in Mud Kitchens, Water Walls, Willow Structures and Miniature Gardens? Oh…the places we will go in our Outdoor Classrooms!
Tell us about your Outdoor Learning Station in the comments below. How are your children playing in your outdoor space?
Want to learn more? Come play with us! Check out some our e-Courses.
Let’s Play!
Victoria
