outdoor learning confident
Have a staff meeting about what clothes are needed for you and your staff to be comfortable outside. Are you going to fund this? Or put wellies and all-in-one suits on the uniform list? What about the staff, can they bring in spare fleeces, jumpers, wellies and a warm coat or will the school work towards providing them? You need to start the dialogue and keep reminding staff of expectations and asking for help from parents and local charity shops. Gathering up and getting clothes in can take time and now is the time to START.
The Muddy Puddle Teacher Approach to Outdoor Learning works because we use what’s out there. The biggest mistake schools make is spending lots of money on their outdoor space. Do not do it! It will become stale and boring soon enough. But a stick, well, that can be anything in any weather! So, you need a constant supply of sticks, stones and leaves and for teachers to start using them in outdoor lessons. Ask parents and staff to collect on weekend walks and bring them in or call your local tree surgeon who are most obliging to get rid of their off cuts! If you want help with how to use natural resources, head to our website for lesson plans and subscriptions from EYFS-KS2 www.themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk.
Start now! Its winter for sure and the hardest time to get outside BUT start now and let your teachers and staff practice. When it comes to summer, they will more than likely appreciate the fine weather and be out even more!
Set expectations. Share research on social media and as handouts to staff. Start educating everyone on the many academic, mental and physical wellbeing of learning outside in an active, environmentally friendly way. All can be found on our website at www.themuddyouddleteacher.co.uk under FREEBIES. Our approach believes in balance, we do not expect our teachers to be outside for long periods in cold wet weather BUT it’s a great experience for now and then and makes a great capacity lesson. We have to look at the weather and curriculum creatively. Let your staff know this and let them understand that you know this will be different for each individual.
Motivate your staff. Ask them how they used to play as a child, what sorts of things they did. You will find that almost all adults will tell you an outdoor-related childhood memory. Now ask the children for their favourite memories and compare! When staff are reminded of the joy they had outside and the learning experiences from doing so it makes them care a little more for outdoor learning and starts that inspiration needed to be confident outdoor learning practitioners.
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Here are 3 top outdoor learning ideas to get you started :
- Make sure the children have the right clothing – bring a muddy bag in or dress for mud that day!
- Make it messy and muddy – why not you are outside!
- Stick to natural resources – less clearing up for you and more kind to the environment.
Our muddy resources support all curriculums and we use only natural resources so any school, anywhere can use our approach. Including Early Years Framework, NC, CfE, American Curriculums.
Looking for a group subscription? We offer big reductions for schools and nurseries that book in groups. The more staff the more the discount per person. Click here for a quote.
Outdoor learning in primary schools is an essential way to bring wellbeing to the classroom.
Here are some muddy top tips to make a start in each key stage.
- Outdoor Learning KS2 – Try taking 10-minute slots or brain breaks in between sessions. Do the Muddy Walk and Talk and just use it for general discussion or chat.
- Outdoor Learning KS1 – Try taking phonics games outside. Choose a sound and use leaves
- Outdoor Learning EYFS – If you can make sure there is an outside space that is accessible and start to reduce the plastic and have more natural objects. Such as leaves they can write on, stones to do art with. Strip back the made plastic objects and keep natural for optimum imagination and creative skills to be used.
- Outdoor Learning KS2 – Try taking 10-minute slots or brain breaks in between sessions. Do the Muddy Walk and Talk and just use it for general discussion or chat.
- Outdoor Learning KS1 – Try taking phonics games outside. Choose a sound and use leaves
- Outdoor Learning EYFS – If you can make sure there is an outside space that is accessible and start to reduce the plastic and have more natural objects. Such as leaves they can write on, stones to do art with. Strip back the made plastic objects and keep natural for optimum imagination and creative skills to be used.
For more outdoor learning ideas for primary schools, sign up for FREE! If it is active learning you are looking for try GoNoodle a great way to get kids moving inside the class.
Watch the MPT safety videos to help you practice the best outdoor learning methods. These videos are also useful for those practising forest school.
Search for more outdoor learning resources : Babies (0-2) | Tots (2-4) | EYFS (4-5) | KS1(5-7) | LKS2( 7-9) | UKS2 (9-11) | Special Needs
For Training head to: Accredited Training | Short Certificate Courses
Have you also checked: Outdoor Ebooks | Assembly Packs | Home Learning Packs | Safety Support | Special Outdoor Events
- Support Outdoor Learning charities and head to Learning through Landscapes who can help with free outdoor learning ideas.
- Institute for Outdoor Learning are also a fabulous charity to refer to if you want to gather ideas for outdoor learning training and organisations.
- Look out for Green Flag Award to promote outdoor learning in primary schools through the muddy puddles approach.
The new way to do Outdoor Learning
Teacher Training | Teaching Resources
EYFS | KS1 | KS2
