Working In nurseries, pre-schools, and childminders on a daily basis, we often see the challenges early years staff have with children's behaviour. And it's no surprise. Children aged 2-4 years are at their most rapid stage of development, yet their emotional regulation and socail skills are far from formed.
However, we equally see the positive impact on these behaviours when children are brought outside for their weekly Mini Athletics sessions. . Their 30mins of fun, structured, active play that gets them running, listening, following instructions, taking turns and being patient all in the fresh air, be it cold, sunny, windy or drizzling.
The Benefits of Structured Outdoor Play to Children
The benefits of structured outdoor play are well documented on a child’s physical and cognitive development and we see this tenfold in the Early Years settings we partner:
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It helps control impulsivity and hyperactivity
Children who were struggling to sit still indoors become more focused, engaging in our theme of the week and its associated activities. -
It helps extend attention spans
Children who were finding it challenging to focus on one activity indoors become more able to follow multi-step directions and concentrate for longer on the objective of each game. -
It helps provide a consistent routine
The regular format of our lessons enable children, particularly those with SEN, a familiarity of expectation, helping their emotional regulation. -
It helps foster social skills
Children who were finding sharing or listening to peers challenging indoors, contribute more readily to group activities, co-operating with their peers easier.
The benefits structured outdoor play provides to Early Years staff
What is less documented however is the benefit this structured outdoor play provides to the Early Years staff too. According to a study in 2016*, almost 70% of teachers/practitioners said that outdoor learning had a positive impact on their job satisfaction and 72% reported improved health and wellbeing.
We witness firsthand the enjoyment Early Years staff have when they are outdoors and active with us and the children. Not only do they enjoy it, but it can provide a re-charge for them to tackle the demands of the day ahead.
Equally, the structured outdoor play can ease the emotional and physical demands placed on them to manage tantrums, conflicts and distressed children, as the outdoor activities have helped regulate some of the challenging behaviours.
The benefits go beyond the 30mins lesson however. For Early years staff there is also:
- Reduction in planning and workload
Staff are able to spend more time on essential observations and less time on lesson planning and preparation for structured play. - Upskilling of knowledge to be more inclusive
Observing how children with SEN can be integrated into outdoor structured play, staff can feel more confident to adopt a more inclusive curriculum. - Enriched teaching and delivery of the Early Years curriculum
Staff are able to complement their teaching of the EYFS through movement based learning as they see how structured play can teach early counting, identifying colours, colour matching and understanding the world topics.
Activity providers can help Early Years Settings to stand out from the crowd
Oftentimes, owners of Early Years settings consider bringing in an activity provider to provide
structured, outdoor play as an unnecessary cost.
However, arguably bringing in trained activity providers, that can deliver age-appropriate specialist
activities shows a commitment to health and well-being not just for the children, but for staff too,
both of which are valued by parents and Ofsted alike.
An enhanced Early Years Ofsted rating can help a nursery to stand out from the crowd to parents as
well as to prospective nursery staff, helping to attract and retain quality staff in a challenging
recruitment market and establish a positive reputation in the local community they serve.
Find Out More
Find out more about how Mini Athletics can help your Early Years Setting introduce structured outdoor play and sports in Bromley, South East London, South West London, and Surrey.