Early Years Outdoor Training Content Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher Approach
This Early Years Outdoor Training empowers educators with the skills and confidence to create seamless, engaging, and purposeful outdoor learning environments. Rooted in the Muddy Puddle Teacher (MPT) approach, this course emphasizes child-led exploration, sustainability, and curriculum alignment while fostering creativity and independence.
Course Costs
- Download prices
- Schools can pay by invoice.
- UK schools can use sports and pupil premium.
Training Overview
- Duration: Full-day (5 hours, including breaks). 9:30 – 2:30 pm
- Audience: All early years staff, including teachers, teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors, and support staff.
- Location: On-site at your school or chosen outdoor venue.
Course Goals
- Understand the principles of outdoor continuous provision and its benefits.
- Learn to design adaptable, purposeful outdoor spaces for continuous learning.
- Discover strategies to integrate curriculum objectives into outdoor settings.
- Build confidence in fostering child-led learning outdoors.
- Create outdoor provisions that evolve with seasons and children’s needs
Course Modules
Module 1: The Foundations of Outdoor Continuous Provision
- Learning Objectives:
- Define outdoor continuous provision and its importance in early education.
- Understand the MPT approach to child-led, outdoor learning.
- Key Topics:
- Principles of continuous provision in outdoor settings.
- Benefits for emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
- The educator’s role in facilitating child-led exploration.
- Practical Task:
- Reflect on current outdoor provision and identify areas for improvement.
Module 2: Designing Purposeful Outdoor Learning Spaces
- Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to create engaging outdoor zones aligned with curriculum goals.
- Explore the use of natural and upcycled resources for flexible learning.
- Key Topics:
- Designing themed zones: sensory play, construction, exploration, and more.
- Linking zones to curriculum objectives (e.g., literacy, numeracy, science).
- Balancing structure with open-ended exploration.
- Practical Task:
- Sketch a plan for an outdoor provision area, including resource ideas.
Module 3: Seasonal and Flexible Provisions
- Learning Objectives:
- Adapt outdoor continuous provision for different seasons and weather conditions.
- Use seasonal changes as opportunities for discovery and learning.
- Key Topics:
- Seasonal activity ideas (e.g., autumn leaf sorting, spring planting).
- Creating weather-appropriate zones (e.g., rain-friendly mud kitchens).
- Safety and risk management in changing environments.
- Practical Task:
- Develop a seasonal activity plan for your outdoor space.
Module 4: Encouraging Child-Led Learning
- Learning Objectives:
- Empower children to take ownership of their learning outdoors.
- Use observation techniques to guide and extend play.
- Key Topics:
- Strategies for promoting independence and creativity.
- Balancing child-led discovery with curriculum alignment.
- Differentiating activities to meet diverse learning needs.
- Practical Task:
- Observe a child’s outdoor play and design an activity to extend their learning.
Module 5: Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices
- Learning Objectives:
- Build sustainability into your outdoor continuous provision.
- Teach children the value of caring for the environment.
- Key Topics:
- Creating zero-waste activities and using natural resources responsibly.
- Teaching children about recycling and conservation through play.
- Long-term strategies for maintaining eco-friendly outdoor spaces.
- Practical Task:
- Plan a sustainability-focused outdoor activity (e.g., building a bug hotel).
Module 6: Evaluating and Evolving Outdoor Provision
- Learning Objectives:
- Monitor and assess the effectiveness of outdoor continuous provision.
- Gather and act on feedback from children, staff, and parents.
- Key Topics:
- Tools for observing and documenting children’s engagement.
- Strategies for refreshing and evolving outdoor spaces.
- Reflecting on successes and areas for improvement.
- Practical Task:
- Create an evaluation checklist for your outdoor provision area.
Course Resources
- Planning templates for outdoor continuous provision.
- Seasonal activity guides and calendars.
- Risk assessment and safety planning tools.
- Muddy Puddle Teacher resource pack for continuous provision.
- Printable observation and assessment templates.
Certification
Participants who complete the course will receive:
- A Certificate in Outdoor Continuous Provision using the Muddy Puddle Teacher approach.
- Access to exclusive resources for one year.
- Download prices
- Book a Discovery Call
The Importance and Benefits of Whole-School Outdoor Learning
Outdoor learning isn’t just a passing trend; it’s a transformative approach to education that benefits children across all age groups and subjects. Implementing whole-school outdoor learning creates a culture of creativity, resilience, and collaboration beyond the classroom walls.
Let’s explore the importance of whole-school outdoor learning and its benefits for students, educators, and the broader community.
1. Enhances Academic Achievement
Outdoor learning integrates practical, hands-on experiences with academic subjects, making lessons more engaging and memorable. Studies show outdoor learning improves retention, problem-solving skills, and creativity (Education Endowment Foundation).
For example, math lessons that use natural resources like sticks and stones to round or measure turn abstract concepts into tangible experiences.
2. Improves Physical Health
Outdoor learning encourages movement, reduces sedentary behaviour and promotes physical fitness. Whether running during a relay race or building a shelter, students develop motor skills and coordination while staying active (World Health Organisation).
3. Boosts Mental Health and Well-Being
Spending time in nature reduces stress, improves mood, and fosters emotional resilience. Outdoor learning provides opportunities for mindfulness and reflection, helping students better manage their emotions (Children and Nature Network).
4. Encourages Collaboration and Social Skills
Whole-school outdoor learning fosters teamwork and communication through group activities and challenges. Children develop negotiation, cooperation, and leadership skills while working on shared goals (Learning Through Landscapes).
5. Builds a Connection with Nature
Engaging with the environment teaches children about sustainability and their role in protecting the planet. Activities like gardening, wildlife observation, and eco-projects inspire lifelong environmental stewardship (WWF UK Education Resources).
6. Supports SEND and Diverse Learners
Outdoor learning provides a level playing field where students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can thrive. The natural setting reduces sensory overload and promotes calm, making learning accessible for all (Forest School Association).
7. Fosters Creativity and Curiosity
Nature inspires imagination and innovation. Whether designing art from natural materials or solving real-world problems like building a water filter, outdoor learning encourages students to think creatively (Creative STAR Learning).
8. Aligns with the Curriculum
Outdoor learning isn’t just about play—it aligns seamlessly with the national curriculum. Subjects like science, geography, literacy, and maths come alive when taught outdoors, helping students see their relevance to the real world (Gov.uk Outdoor Learning Guidance).
9. Empowers Teachers
Whole-school outdoor learning also benefits educators. It provides fresh teaching methods, fosters collaboration among staff, and creates a more dynamic and engaging school culture (Edutopia).
10. Strengthens Community and Parental Involvement
Outdoor learning can extend beyond the school gates. Family workshops, community gardening projects, and local eco-initiatives create stronger connections between schools and their communities (National Trust).
