EYFS Activities - An A to Z of learning: N is for…nature

We are lucky to have a large garden at Rachel Keeling Nursery School that we use throughout the year. We have worked hard to ensure it is as biodiverse and natural as possible so that we can encourage flora and fauna to thrive. Many of our children have limited access to outdoor space at home, so our garden is a wonderful enhancement to their learning at school.

ATTITUDES AND VALUES

We support all adults to feel positive about the great outdoors and value the learning that can come from the awe and wonder of nature. To start with, we ensure everyone is dressed in appropriate gear, including waterproofs, warm coats and wellies, so they can fully explore alongside the children.

Staff work in three-week cycles, so if they are in the garden then they are teaching there for three weeks. We regard our garden as another classroom, so staff do not ‘cover’ each other or do shifts outside because the learning that takes place outside needs to be supported consistently and followed up each day as it is in any space.

IN THE GARDEN

Birds are a big part of our ongoing provision. We have a ready supply of bird charts and books so children can begin to develop their awareness of the variety of birds who visit our garden, and staff and children learn alongside each other.

Bird-spotting, writing tallies, making bird food cakes, quiet observation and listening to bird song are all daily experiences children engage in.

Growing. We plant, tend to, grow and harvest vegetables, fruits and herbs. Lemon balm and mint are easy to grow and very popular for making tea. We also liaise with families who are keen to help out and share their knowledge.

Children and staff love to observe the changes in the garden during the seasons. It creates some lovely opportunities for art, such as watercolour paintings of daffodils and snowdrops.

Weather. We will be found exploring in the garden in rain, wind or shine (thunder and lightning or very high winds are the only reasons we may retreat inside). Ensuring everyone is wearing the right clothes is key. Heavy rain can be explored beautifully, from feeling it on your face to splashing in puddles and filling buckets with rainwater for our plants.

On cloudy days, we love to lie on the hill and look up at the clouds as they blow past; while sitting under the shade of the tree on sunny days looking at the patterns the leaves throw on the ground is mesmerising.

Natural materials. Our children know to leave living things to grow unless we are harvesting. Often they will gather sticks, feathers, stones and wood chip to make potions and spells. They may take twigs inside to add to their clay sculptures and create imaginary story worlds.

Transient art exploration is beautifully done using natural materials. Try laying a white sheet or piece of hessian on the floor and arranging the treasures you find.

Insects. We are careful to react positively to insects and spiders as well as other visitors to our garden, modelling caring attitudes and language. We have created some insect-friendly areas – log piles, bug hotels, leaf piles – and children enjoy observing the insects and bugs up close. We usually leave magnifiers, information books and clipboards adjacent to these areas for children to access independently.

Mud. Children really enjoy exploring mud armed with trowels or large spoons. The smell and consistency, particularly if you add water from the water butt, creates a wonderful malleable material. We often place mud in a tub or tray so children can get stuck in with their hands and make mud pies. We encourage them to add other natural materials such as twigs to mix or feathers to mark make with.

Trees. We have some trees which are safe to climb and swing from. We have attached a rope swing in one and have plans for a shared hammock too. Trees also offer great canopies to build dens and hide.

INCIDENTAL LEARNING

We embrace the unexpected learning opportunities that nature gives us. The discovery of a dead frog led to its dissection and burial (Nursery World, September 2020), and only this week a dead sparrow led to incredible ponderings and storytelling, as well as great outpourings of empathy.

• See more of our explorations at: www.rachelkeeling.towerhamlets.sch.uk/learning-outside.html
  
  
• Rachel Keeling Nursery School is an Outstanding setting in Bethnal Green, east London