Playing outside
Access to outdoor play and learning experiences is vital for all children. It is important to consider whether your setting is ensuring that everyone can go outside to play and be outside in all weather conditions.
Not everyone enjoys the wind and rain. If an adult is providing one-to-one support for a child, it is important that they are prepared to respond to the child’s preferences – especially if this means being outside in all weathers.
Activity 2.3 Tuning in to the unique child
In this audio you will hear a parent and key worker talking about Eilidh, who loved being outdoors and spent a lot of her time at nursery playing outside. While you listen, think about how Eilidh’s family and nursery made it possible for Eilidh to enjoy being outside.
Listen to Liz and Pamela and note down the key influences on Eilidh playing outside.
Transcript: Audio 2.1 Liz and Pamela on Eilidh’s outside play
Discussion
Some influences that Liz and Pamela mention are:
Eilidh loved being with other children and wanted to be where they were, which was often outside.
A confident, outdoor-loving family with an older sibling who loved being outdoors.
A staff team who enjoyed spending time outdoors and valued it for children.
Availability of staff and one-to-one support.
A space and resources that were physically accessible.
Including all children in outdoor play
How confident are you that all children are able to access outdoor play when they choose to? How do you support the additional needs of children who are deaf when playing outside? For example, it will be important to consider their safety when they can’t hear what is being said. They may need to use a hearing aid to help them to hear voices, or a visual aid in case of an emergency.
You might find that thinking about what you need to do to make outdoor play more accessible to one child has the effect of making it more accessible and inclusive for all children.
The next section looks at your role in relation to reducing conflict during play so that it is as inclusive as possible for all children.
2.3 Inclusive play