Playing Outdoors in the Early Years

by Ros Garrick

Overview

A recent report has found that young children are not receiving the play-based education they are supposed to because of pressure on practitioners to prepare for more formal learning in later years. In this engaging and stimulating guide, Ros Garrick considers every aspect of outdoor play - from its rationale in early childhood education, to incorporating it successfully into the curriculum and assessing its wider implications for teaching and learning. This new edition has been brought up-to-date with recent national and international research, the Every Child Matters Agenda and the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance. New case studies and examples of international practice are included, as well as a fully updated list of useful organizations and agencies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781847065476
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/18/2009
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.31(d)

About the Author

Ros Garrick is Principal Lecturer in the Children 's Workforce at Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii

Preface viii

Introduction ix

1 A rationale for outdoor play in early childhood education and care 1

Children's voices 1

Can you remember? 2

What are children's views? 4

Changing landscapes 6

Children's health 7

An environment for all kinds of learning 9

Gender issues 10

2 The place of the garden in the historical development of early childhood education 13

Friedrich Froebel 15

Margaret McMillan 16

Susan Isaacs 17

The historical tradition of play 18

3 Perspectives on young children and outdoor play 21

Psychological perspectives 22

Geographical perspectives 33

Sociological perspectives 35

Playwork perspectives 37

Outdoor play decisions 39

Programme structure 40

1- and 2-year-old quarrels: managing conflict 43

Unpredictable weather 46

All kinds of weather 49

Messy play 54

Gender 56

Inclusion 60

Listening to children 64

Health and safety 68

5 Planning an outdoor curriculum in the early years 73

Curriculum frameworks internationally 75

The observation and planning cycle 81

Long-term planning: designing the outdoor space 82

Defining spaces 84

Long-term planning: areas of provision 86

Evaluating long-term plans 96

Medium-term planning for outdoor learning 98

Short-term planning for outdoor learning 104

The adult role 106

6 Outdoor learning in early-years curricula internationally 115

The Villetta pre-school in Reggio Emilia 116

Forest Schools 117

Growing Schools in England 119

Sources of advice, guidance and support 121

References 123

Index 131

Editorial Reviews

'A thought-provoking but very accessible book covering a lot of ground, playing a valuable role in bringing together a wide range of research and showing how this can guide practice in outdoor provision. I particularly like how Ros skilfully uses relevant research findings to give readers food for thought for making effective decisions regarding a range of common dilemmas in practice outdoors, demonstrating the need to generate and use evidence rather than assumptions.' Jan White, Consultant for Outdoor Provision in the Early Years, UK

'A wonderful introduction to the possibilities, potential and pleasures of playing outdoors for children in the Foundation Stage. This book is enjoyable and accessible, leading the reader to engage with a range of current research as well as with reflective activities to promote high quality individual professional practice.'
Anna Cox, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for PGCE Early Years Education, University of Northampton, UK

From the Publisher