Muddy river dam

Autumn’s the time when natural loose parts are easy to find in your outdoor area, garden or local park. Take buckets or bags and fill them with conkers, acorns, beech nuts, the last flowers, coloured leaves, pine cones or pebbles. Allow…

We have a paradox in schools. We accept the value of play, especially in the Early Years, but the idea of play in the primary sector and beyond often does not feel like a legitimate use of the precious time available.

Allowing time to follow a child’s interest in nature takes patience and may even disrupt your plans for the day, but will be rewarded by enthusiastic and truly child-led learning.

Children’s literature is full of woodland folk – dwarves, elves, fairies, pixies and gnomes. Take these imaginary creatures into your outdoor play and allow children uninterrupted time to build fairy gardens for woodland folk using natural…