Iam often asked about the use of bikes outside. My view is that if they are used selectively and with a purpose, they can be an integral part of outdoor play. Here are some suggestions for resources to enhance play with bikes and other wheeled toys that are based on ideas given to me by children in a nursery in Scotland.
Ideas to explore Number recognition.
Resources Numberplates ,parking tickets ,chalk to create parking areas and speed limits
PLOD Extend the links between indoors and out by making the numberplates inside, laminating them and attaching them to the bikes with string.
Ideas to explore Maps represent land with pictures and symbols.
Resources 3Local maps of varying styles and complexity PLOD Look at the features of the maps with the children. Use fabric, boxes and other materials to create, for example, roundabouts, trees and rivers.
Ideas to explore Development of physical skills through the use of small-scale materials.
Resources Objects to attach to the bikes, such as plastic windmills to explore speed, lanterns for direction and large bells to explore distance
Velcro tapes to attach the objects to the bikes
PLOD Provide materials, such as edible confetti, for the children to dance in.
Ideas to explore Role play to explore new roles and behaviours.
Resources Role-play fabrics and simple props to represent characters in the bike area, for example, yellow fabric for a traffic warden, black for the police. Keys to 'start' the bikes
PLOD Support children in their exploration by encouraging them to create storylines.
Ideas to explore Writing/talking as a form of communication in role play.
Resources Variety of paper to use for tickets and notebooks laminated paper and chinagraph pencils for charts and forms
PLOD Take on roles such as a mechanic or customer of a garage.
Ideas to explore Feeling of satisfaction in caring for an object by cleaning the bikes.
Resources Oil cans, rags, screwdrivers, gloves to clean the bikes
PLOD Take apart an old bike.
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.
