Create an outdoor area that will sustain a wide variety of plants and animals and use the area to extend children's experiences of the natural world.
Ideas to explore Count the plants and animals, and count the insect habitats by placing labelled pictures of a woodlouse and other such creatures near where the children think they live.
Resources Labelled pictures of species to be found in your outdoor area, attached to pieces of stick.
PLOD Consult reference books to find out about the needs of each species.
Ideas to explore Investigate and observe the appearance and habitats of common insects by hiding minibeasts in your outdoor area for the children to find.
Resources Magnifying glasses plastic minibeasts of common British species such as ladybird, woodlouse, caterpillar, worm, beetle, fly.
PLOD Encourage the children to look at the features of the minibeasts and to put them in the right environment.
Ideas to explore Develop children's dexterity by encouraging them to make homes for minibeasts.
Resources: Materials in a range of textures corrugated cardboard rolled up for ladybird homes scrunched-up newspaper in upturned plant pots for earwig homes canvas-backed carpet pieces to put on the earth for beetle and worm houses
PLOD This project often leads to the creation of dens that can be developed over several sessions. Encourage the children to follow their own ideas - a minibeast is sure to find it attractive!
Ideas to explore Explore plant and animal diversity through painting.
Resources: Paint sets fine brushes paper made into books small enough to fit into the palm of the hand 3magnifying sheets.
PLOD Provide pictures of animals and plants found in your outdoor space.
Ideas to explore Talk about the children's findings, and use simple technology to record their observations.
Resources: Dictaphones.
PLOD Plan activities to look for wildlife and engage in the children's searches.
Ideas to explore Help children gain a feeling of satisfaction from caring for wildlife.
Resources: bird food watering cans 3wool for birds to build nests.
PLOD: Listen to children's ideas for caring for wildlife.
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.
