To enable discussion and creativity in an Early years team on how to develop an enabling learning environment for children outdoors with inspirations from Rudolf Steiner and Forest schools.

1. Garden Play

2. Introduction
We are here tonight to discuss how we can create an enabling learning
environment within the garden.
• Current research into the link between optimum health of a child
and access to the outdoors.
• Steiner and Forest schools: Pedagogy for an enabling learning
environment outdoors.
• Activities and resources we could offer to the children.
• Brainstorm ideas together.

3. Health and outdoors.
How long does a child spend outside on average here each day?
– Physical
• Spending time outside raises levels of Vitamin D, helping protect children from future bone
problems, heart disease, diabetes and other health issues.1
• Being out there improves distance vision and lowers the chance of nearsightedness.2
– Mind
• Exposure to natural settings may be widely effective in reducing ADHD symptoms.3
• Children’s stress levels fall within minutes of seeing green spaces.4
• Play protects children’s emotional development whereas loss of free time and a hurried
lifestyle can contribute to anxiety and depression.5
• Nature makes you nicer, enhancing social interactions, value for community and close
relationships.6
( U.S.A. Based research, see theory index)
Virtual world vs Natural world

4. Forest Schools
– At a Forest Kindergarten Denmark, Even when it’s raining, snowing
or -20 you will find these children learning outside.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkiij9dJfcw

5. Steiner Education
– In a Waldolf Steiner Kindergarten, the outdoor environment is integral part of their
educational program. All schools have gardens and animals the children help care for.
In the picture below Steiner children in USA are playing in flooded woodland beside
their school, they spend 3 hours or more outside per day.
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txWbCYpwqJY

6. Garden Activities

7. Garden Activities
Types of Play Examples
Creative Play
• Water Play (adding warm water if needed)
• Play Dough
• Moon Dough
• Sand Play
• Shaving Foam
• Dry Leaves
• Compost Soil (Muddy adventures)
• Sugar Gloup
• Ice in warm water
Dramatic Play
• Firemen/women
• Builders
• Farm Shop
• Pirates
• Camping
• Car wash
• Snow Plough

8. Garden Kitchen

9. Outdoor
Playdough

10. Snow Art

11. Ice Block
Ecosystem

12. The 3 bears Cottage

13. Soundgarden

14. Planting

15. Research index
1. Lack of Vitamin D and Health Issues: Many children in the U.S., especially minorities, need more Vitamin D. Spending time outside raises levels of
Vitamin D, protecting children from bone problems and other health issues. Study: American Academy of Paediatrics. “Many Children have suboptimal
Vitamin D Levels,” Paediatrics. October 26, 2009. http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/oct2609studies.htm
2. Near-Sightedness: In several studies reported in the journal Optometry and Vision Science, researchers found that kids who spent more time outside
during the day tended to have better distance vision than those who favoured indoor activities. Study: What's Hot in Myopia Research-The 12th
International Myopia Conference, Australia, July 2008
3. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Researchers at University of Illinois report findings that indicate exposure to natural settings in the course
of common after-school and weekend activities may be "widely effective" in reducing attention deficit symptoms in children. Study: Kuo, PhD, Frances
E., and Andrea Faber Taylor, PhD. "A Potential Natural Treatment for Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Evidence From a National Study."
American Journal of Public Health 94.9. Sept. 2004
4. Natural Settings and Cognitive Behaviour: Children who are exposed to natural or outdoor settings receive benefits to their cognitive health, such as
reduction of ADHD symptoms. Study: Wells, N.M. (2000). At Home with Nature: Effects of “greenness” on children’s cognitive functioning.
Environment and Behaviour (32), 6, pp 775-795. http://eab.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/6/775
5. Importance of Play: Play protects children's emotional development; whereas a loss of free time in combination with a hurried lifestyle can be a source
of stress, anxiety, and may even contribute to depression for many children.
Study: Ginsburg, MD, MS Ed, Kenneth R., Committee on Communications, and Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. "The
Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds." 119.1 (2007). American Academy of
Paediatrics, Jan. 2007.
6. Nature Makes You Nicer: Increased time in nature makes one nicer, enhances social interactions and more.
Study: Weinstein, N., Przybylski, A. K., & Ryan, R. M. (2009). “Can nature make us more caring? Effects of immersion in nature on intrinsic
aspirations and generosity.” Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 35, 1315-1329.