Playing outdoors is a natural setting for children to follow their interests, take risks and engage in social-emotional learning. However, environmental pollution, racism and poverty are some obstacles that may prevent children from playing outside.
These programs have found ways to overcome these obstacles and create exemplary outdoor learning environments (OLEs). We feature them in News You Can Use.
Safety
Children benefit from outdoor play, especially in childcare settings, as it allows them to learn about the world around them in a playful way, develop motor skills and social skills, and get some much-needed fresh air. However, playing outdoors comes with environmental hazards that childcare providers need to be aware of and take measures to prevent.
Ensure your childcare outdoor areas are well-equipped with appropriate, safe playground equipment that is age and developmentally appropriate. Ensure that the equipment is regularly inspected and maintained to minimize the risk of injuries. Ensure that your outdoor play area is shielded from the sun and wind to reduce the chance of overheating or exposure to harsh weather conditions.
Teach children to always be aware of their surroundings and never wander too far from group members or other adults. Also, remind them to stay more than an arm's length away from strangers and to call for help if someone makes them feel uncomfortable.
Design
Educators know that children love to play outdoors, which has been shown to have a range of positive benefits. However, many childcare centers do not have the funding or support to improve outdoor learning environments (OLEs) beyond minimum health and safety requirements.
To ensure the safety of children, it is important to include natural or man-made barriers in the design of childcare outdoor areas. This helps to contain the children and makes it easier for educators to supervise. This can be done with fences, natural plants, or structures like gazebos and pop up tents.
In addition, it is important to include sensory experiences in the design of childcare outdoor areas. This can be done by including water play areas, mud kitchens, and sensory gardens. It is also important to provide lots of open ended materials for children to access and build upon – think tyres, sticks, rope, stones and recycled materials. This allows children to choose what they want to build with and can change throughout their play.
Equipment
When children are learning in the outdoors, they need the opportunity to use their bodies and their imaginations. They also need access to a wide variety of materials that they can explore, manipulate and experiment with.
Caregivers need to consider infant and toddlers' current developmental stages, personalities, interests, and needs as they plan outdoor learning environments. This includes identifying possible choking hazards that can be found in all outdoor environments. To support supervision, the environment should be fenced or contain natural barriers to keep children from wandering into unsafe areas (e.g., pools, ponds, traffic).
To create a more engaging and active play space for toddlers, some facilities are adding features like a tire planter grass maze, a dry stream bed and boat play area, a loose parts play area and a garden pathway with a bridge. When all of these pieces work together, the outdoor learning environment can help children develop social, physical, cognitive and emotional skills.
Maintenance
It's vital that childcare centres maintain their outdoor areas by regularly checking for hazards. For example, they need to inspect equipment for sharp edges, loose or broken parts and protruding screws. They should also keep a log of the issues and when they were resolved. This will reduce the risk of accidents and injuries caused by equipment malfunctions.
It is also important to maintain hygiene in the outdoor environment. This includes cleaning, sanitizing and pest control procedures. It is also important to consider how much time is spent outdoors by infants and toddlers, as they require a safe and comfortable space.
It's also essential to choose surfacing materials that are shock-absorbent, as this will reduce the risk of serious injury from falls. Additionally, fencing and gating should be in place to create boundaries and prevent unauthorized access. In addition, centers should provide shade to protect children from excessive sun exposure. Finally, they should educate staff on equipment safety and emergency protocols to ensure the children's well-being.
