I = Inside O = Outside
I Little painting
O Big messy, collaborative painting
I Making models out of food packets and string
O Making models out of huge cardboard boxes and rope
I Reading story books
O Acting out the stories
I Building with Lego
O Building with crates, ropes, boxes and cones
I A hospital area
O An accident and emergency unit, with wheeled toys as ambulances
I A glockenspiel up-ended in the music area showing high notes at the top and low notes at the bottom
O Using voices from high to low going down the slide
I Being careful not to spill water inside
O Finding out how and where water flows by spilling it
I Playing in the sand tray
O Playing in earth and mud
I Observing creatures in cages and tanks
O Finding creatures in their natural habitats
I Looking out at the weather
O Experiencing frost, wind, rain and sun
Further reading
* Exercising Muscles and Minds - outdoor play and the early years curriculum by Marjorie Ouvry (National Early Years Network, 8.50 to non-members, 6 to members plus 1 p&p, tel: 020 7607 9573).
* The Pound Park Experience - a seasonal diary of environmental education in the early years by Liz Buck (Pound Park Nursery School, Charlton Lane, London SE7 3EH, 5 inc p&p).
* Can I Play Out? - Outdoor play in the early years (Jacqueline Clayburn, BICS, Bradford Education, Flockton House, Flockton Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD4 7RY, 5.50 inc p&p).
* Outdoor Play in the Early Years - management and innovation by Helen Bilton (David Fulton Publishers, 14).
* Kindergarten Architecture by Mark Dudek (London: Chapman and Hall, Pounds 29.99).
* Let's go outside - designing the early childhood playground by Tracy Theemes (Highscope UK, 15 plus 2.95 p&p, tel: 020 8676 0220).
* Outdoor play - interactive programme for creation, use and management of outdoor play by Clare Warden (Mindstretchers, 40 plus 3.85 p&p, tel: 01764 682866).
* Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage, by the QCA/DfEE (QCA, tel: 020 7509 5555).
* House of Commons Select Committee report on the early years, January 2001 (The Stationery Office, PO Box 29, Norwich NR3 1GN, fax: 0870 600 5533).
