Here are some suggestions for enjoying a colourful autumn whatever the limitiations of your outdoor space.
Ideas to explore Number of animals and plants; quantity of animals and plants in a particular area ('three spiders on two leaves'); sorting and classifying for a variety of criteria.
Resources Models and pictures of common minibeasts and animals ,natural containers such as small baskets or large leaves that can be used to sort the animals into type, size, number and so on
PLOD Extend the links between indoors and outdoors by making a number book of outdoor photographs of things the children have seen.
Ideas to explore Magnification; similarities and differences among leaves Resources Various types of magnifying glass to observe leaves. Cut a small hole in a piece of A6 card to create a small viewing window, which will help focus the children's attention
PLOD Explore leaves with the children and make small identification cards.
Ideas to explore Develop physical skills by encouraging children to use
small-scale materials
Resources Leaves, dried petals and other materials that encourage children to dance and move and capture the feeling of dancing with nature
PLOD Provide materials for dancing in, such as edible confetti - the birds will eat what is left on the ground!
Ideas to explore Colour mixing and developing awareness about the huge variety of colours we can make
Resources Paint sets ,fine brushes ,strong absorbent paper for taking leaf prints while the leaf is still on the bush
PLOD Support the children in their exploration by encouraging them to take prints of textured outdoor objects.
Ideas to explore Writing as a form of communication
Resources Paper in autumn colour for making books in the shape of leaves
PLOD Extend experience through adult interaction and planned experiences.
Ideas to explore Feeling satisfied from clearing up leaves
Resources Small gloves ,brushes ,rakes ,large squares of fabric that will help children collect leaves
PLOD Develop children's independent thought by asking for their ideas about how to organise the area.
Series guide
Poor resourcing and planning are often the greatest barriers to high-quality outdoor play. In this series, we outline ideas to explore, cross-curricular resources and possible lines of development (PLODs) to extend and consolidate children's learning. The resources can be stored in sets of bags - one for each area of learning, all stored in one bigger bag.
Such sets enable settings to respond quickly to events and children's interests and to supplement outdoor provision.
See also 'At the ready', Nursery World, 29 January 2004.
Claire Warden is the founder of Mindstretchers, an educational resource provider in Perthshire, tel: 01764 664409.
