How can gardening, nature and outdoor play help young children learn about themselves and the world around them?
In this inspiring teacher podcast, The Muddy Puddle Teacher® chats with Mr Bloom from CBeebies about Early Years outdoor learning, growing, nature, play and the importance of giving children meaningful experiences outside.
Known and loved by children, families and Early Years practitioners, Mr Bloom aka Ben Faulks brings gardening to life through fun, storytelling, characters and practical experiences.
This episode is ideal for nursery practitioners, Early Years teachers, childminders, teaching assistants, parents and anyone who wants to encourage young children to grow, explore and play outdoors.
What Will You Learn in This Podcast?
In this conversation, we explore why outdoor learning is so valuable during the Early Years and how simple gardening experiences can create rich opportunities for children.
You will hear ideas for helping children plant, grow, observe, care for living things and develop a stronger connection with nature.
The podcast also explores how outdoor experiences can encourage communication, curiosity, confidence, responsibility and imaginative play.
You do not need a large garden, expensive equipment or specialist knowledge. A few pots, some soil, simple tools and a willingness to explore can be enough to begin.
Why Is Outdoor Learning Important in the Early Years?
Young children learn through movement, play, conversation and first-hand experiences.
The outdoors gives children space to investigate, notice changes, test ideas and learn through their senses.
They can feel the soil, smell plants, listen for birds, watch insects and observe how the environment changes through the seasons.
These experiences support physical development, communication and language, personal, social and emotional development and understanding of the world.
Outdoor learning also gives children opportunities to slow down, focus their attention and become curious about things that adults may easily overlook.
Helping Children Learn Through Gardening
Gardening is full of meaningful learning opportunities for young children.
Children can scoop soil, fill containers, water plants, count seeds, compare sizes and notice changes over time.
They can learn that living things need care and that growth does not happen instantly.
Growing activities also introduce new vocabulary naturally. Children can talk about roots, shoots, stems, petals, soil, compost, seeds and seasons as they work.
The experience does not need to be perfect. Spilled soil, overwatered pots and uneven planting are all part of practical learning. Explore our Gardening Therapy Resources or What to Plant in Early Years Guidance.
Simple Growing Activities for Early Years
Start with plants that children can observe and care for easily.
Children might grow herbs in pots, plant sunflower seeds, investigate different vegetables or create a small sensory garden.
They can make labels, decorate containers, collect rainwater and help decide where plants should be placed.
Adults can extend the learning by asking children what they notice, what they think might happen next and what the plants may need.
The aim is not to create a perfect garden. It is to involve children in the process and give them ownership of the experience.
Outdoor Play and Imagination
Outdoor spaces offer wonderful opportunities for imaginative play.
A garden can become a shop, café, jungle, farm, laboratory or home for tiny creatures.
Natural and reusable resources such as sticks, stones, leaves, soil, water, crates and containers can be used in many different ways.
Unlike toys with one fixed purpose, open-ended materials allow children to make their own choices and create their own stories.
Adults can support this play by observing, joining children’s ideas sensitively and introducing language without taking control.
Supporting Communication and Language Outdoors
The outdoors provides children with real things to talk about.
They can describe what they see, explain what they are doing, ask questions and share discoveries with other children and adults.
Gardening creates opportunities to introduce new words in a meaningful context rather than teaching vocabulary in isolation.
Practitioners can model simple language, repeat key words, comment on children’s actions and allow plenty of time for children to respond.
Stories, songs, rhymes and role play can also be linked to plants, vegetables, insects and seasonal change.
Outdoor Learning for Every Child
Outdoor experiences should be adapted so that every child can participate meaningfully.
Some children may enjoy digging and messy sensory play, while others may prefer using tools, pouring water, observing insects or looking closely at plants.
Children who find busy environments overwhelming may benefit from quieter areas, clear routines, visual prompts or smaller-group activities.
Raised containers, table-top planting and accessible tools can help children with different physical needs take part.
Outdoor learning does not have to look the same for every child. Choice, flexibility and sensitive adult support are essential.
You Do Not Need a Perfect Outdoor Space
Meaningful outdoor learning can happen in a playground, nursery yard, school garden, balcony or small paved area.
Pots, containers, window boxes and recycled planters can provide valuable growing opportunities where space is limited.
Practitioners can also take children on short nature walks, observe seasonal changes or investigate plants growing around the setting.
The most important resource is not the size of the space. It is the adult’s ability to notice opportunities and share children’s curiosity.
Connecting Outdoor Learning to the EYFS
Gardening and nature experiences can support all areas of Early Years learning.
Children develop physically as they carry, pour, dig, scoop and use tools.
They strengthen communication and language as they describe their ideas, ask questions and learn new vocabulary.
They build confidence and responsibility by caring for plants and completing purposeful tasks.
Early maths can be explored through counting seeds, comparing plant heights, measuring water and noticing patterns.
Literacy can be supported through labels, signs, stories, instructions and observation diaries.
Creative learning can emerge through natural art, imaginative play, music, movement and storytelling.
About Mr Bloom
Mr Bloom is a familiar and much-loved CBeebies character who encourages children to explore gardening, vegetables, growing and the natural world. Vist Let’s Grow to explore early years resources.
Through stories, songs, playful characters and practical gardening experiences, Mr Bloom helps make nature engaging and accessible for young children.
In this podcast, he shares his enthusiasm for helping children connect with the outdoors and discover where food, plants and natural materials come from.
About The Muddy Puddle Teacher®
The Muddy Puddle Teacher® helps teachers and practitioners take meaningful learning outdoors using practical, sustainable and low-cost ideas.
Founded by teacher, Bloomsbury author and outdoor learning consultant Sarah Seaman, The Muddy Puddle Teacher® supports nurseries, schools, childminders and families through resources, training, podcasts, videos and inspirational outdoor activities.
Our approach is not Forest School. We help educators take everyday Early Years learning and curriculum experiences into gardens, playgrounds and outdoor spaces.
Listen and Grow Outdoors
This teacher podcast is perfect for anyone who wants to bring more gardening, nature and outdoor play into their Early Years practice.
Listen to Mr Bloom share his enthusiasm for growing and discover how simple outdoor experiences can help children become curious, confident and connected to nature.
Then choose one small idea to try in your setting. Plant a seed, explore the soil, look for signs of seasonal change or invite children to create their own outdoor growing area.
Listen to Mr Bloom Talk About Early Years Outdoors
Explore More Early Years Outdoor Activities
Discover Gardening and Growing Resources
Join The Muddy Puddle Teacher®
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this podcast suitable for?
The podcast is suitable for nursery practitioners, Early Years teachers, teaching assistants, childminders, parents, home educators and anyone supporting young children.
What can children learn through gardening?
Gardening can support communication, physical development, early maths, understanding of the world, responsibility, patience and emotional wellbeing.
Do we need a garden to grow plants with children?
No. Plants can be grown in pots, recycled containers, raised planters, window boxes or small outdoor spaces.
How does gardening link to the EYFS?
Gardening can support all areas of the EYFS, including communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding of the world and expressive arts and design.
Is The Muddy Puddle Teacher® the same as Forest School?
No. The Muddy Puddle Teacher® helps educators take everyday learning outdoors. You do not need a woodland, specialist qualification or Forest School programme to use the ideas.
