A Real Childhood

Children thrive when they spend time outdoors, engaging in rich, hands-on learning-experiences in natural environments like gardens and outdoor classrooms. That’s why I believe it’s essential to consider how outdoor learning can be meaningfully woven into your EYFS curriculum. What better way to spark curiosity, awaken the senses, and nurture a lifelong love of learning than by embracing the wonders of the natural world?

I’m Mandy Richardson, and when I founded Naturally Learning 12 years ago, my vision was to give children a genuine childhood experience – one much like the joyful, nature-filled upbringing I was lucky enough to have.

A Curriculum rooted in nature

My parents gave me experiences and knowledge that shaped my life and left me with countless cherished memories. These childhood adventures inspired the creation of Naturally Learning’s seasonal, nature-based curriculum, which now helps shape the daily experiences of children across all our nurseries. 

There are many simple ways we integrate nature and the natural environment into our daily schedule at nursery. Here are a few ideas to support other educators in doing the same. Just adapt the ideas as needed to suit your individual settings!

Use natural resources: Incorporating nature into outdoor learning is key to creating rich, meaningful experiences. The outdoors offers a wide range of materials that naturally spark curiosity and encourage independence. Look to your surroundings – plants, trees, rocks, water – and find ways to turn them into learning opportunities. Use logs for balancing activities, or provide magnifying glasses to explore leaves, insects, and other fascinating details up close.

Plan experiences: 

When you go out with the children, have an idea in mind about some of the activities you can introduce, as well as having free play. If you have plenty of space or are lucky enough to have a forest school, plan an animal and insect scavenger hunt. See how many the children can tick off the list as they play outside. You can also incorporate cooking outdoors. The children will be able to have fun making their own food while also strengthening key early skills.

Encourage physical development outdoors:Outdoor learning provides the perfect setting for getting active. Carve out areas where children have space to run, jump or climb. By doing so they will have the opportunity to build and refine their gross motor skills. It is also possible to incorporate activities that develop fine motor skills, such as digging and pouring.

Encourage risk and independence

Through access to wild spaces and opportunities for adventurous, hands-on learning, as educators we can help nurture independent, capable and resilient learners.
The difference between today’s generation of children and my generation growing up is stark, and the consequences have the potential of being devastating. We live in a society of parents who are risk-averse and tend to micromanage their children’s schedules and intervene frequently to ‘protect’ them. These small children spend much of their day being transported in buggies and car seats, being told to ‘be careful’ or ‘get down,’ thus missing out on vital opportunities for physical and emotional development.
I encourage nurseries to offer children opportunities that are the complete opposite of overly controlled, risk-averse environments. At Naturally Learning, you might see two-year-olds scaling mud banks three times their height just to catch a glimpse of the neighbouring sheep being fed. They wade through waist-high grass to explore uncharted areas, run confidently across uneven ground, and climb trees that stretch to dizzying heights. These experiences aren’t reckless – they’re guided by thoughtful, child-led risk-benefit assessments.

From an early age, we involve children in evaluating their environment, teaching them to recognise and assess risks for themselves. For example, each morning, even our youngest children walk the boundaries, checking for gaps in fences, measuring wind speed with anemometers, and helping to set up the equipment needed for a safe and adventurous day ahead.
On a recent beach visit, as our group of children confidently navigated the steep steps and uneven, pebbly terrain, I noticed a family arriving on holiday with a child of around five or six years old. Unfamiliar with the landscape, she struggled to make her way down to the shore, and was tentative and unsure with each step. Watching this, I was struck by a deep sense of pride, recognising the invaluable opportunity we are able to give our children: the chance to build confidence, coordination, and resilience through regular, real-world experiences in challenging natural environments.

Celebrate seasonal learning

We have noticed that many children don’t get to experience traditional childhood adventures due to more risk-averse approaches and technology. We know how damaging it can be if children spend much of their time watching television or using electronic devices. At Naturally Learning, the children experience the changing seasons and unpredictable Cornish weather with relish. They watch the changing canopy of the forest and collect its treasures. They befriend the robin who enjoys the crumbs after snack time, and grow vegetables in the allotment. 
Here are some of our favourite seasonal activities that we enjoy in our setting, and I encourage all educators to give them a try, adapting them to suit your space. Many of these activities can be enjoyed year-round, with a little creativity and flexibility.

Springtime:

• Kite flying. Take advantage of a breezy day and see how high you can get your kite to fly.
• Hopscotch. A great way to get kids moving. All you need is a piece of chalk.
• Bird watching. Spring is a great time to see different kinds of birds.

Summer:

• Hide and Seek. One of the all-time favourite games. It can be played anywhere, but great for outdoors when the weather is warmer.
• Water balloon toss. Fill up some water balloons and see how many times you can toss them back and forth without dropping them.
• Make homemade ice cream.

Autumn

• Leaf pile scavenger hunt. Gather up a bunch of leaves and hide small objects in them to be found.
• With the darker nights coming in have a bonfire and roast marshmallows and while telling stories.
• Nature walks. Explore any trails or beaches in your local area. See how many different types of leaves, flowers, and animals the children can spot.

Winter

• Sledging. A thrilling way to spend a winter day if you are lucky enough to get some snow and can access a safe slope.

• Build a snowman. Make one each or have children in groups making several together.
• Make snow angels.
No matter what season it is, there are always plenty of outdoor learning opportunities for children to enjoy. So get out there and have some fun!
Conclusion
By fully embracing nature, adventure, and the changing seasons, we give children a chance to experience a real childhood. When we give them the freedom to take risks and explore without limits we’re building foundations for a confident, resilient life. Let’s keep creating spaces together where childhood isn’t just safe, but vibrant, adventurous, and real!