Margaret McMillian was a follower of Froebel's theory who believed that outdoor play improved children's health. She built an attached garden with climbing and swinging apparatus and included animals and birds. This allowed children to play freely, develop skills like climbing, and explore their environment. Her focus on health and self-expression helped children take their place in society. The garden encouraged independent play and creativity. McMillian's work showed the importance of open spaces for children to play freely and routinely structured times for meals and sleep.

1. Margaret McMillian
By Sarah and Pinar

2. Description of theory:
• She believed outdoor play improved a child’s health.
• She was a follower of Froebel’s theory
• Margaret built an attached garden with apparatus for climbing and
swinging.
• She included animals and birds in her garden, which helped children
grow community products.
• “Her focus on health and on children being able to express themselves
was so that they can take their place in society” – how children
learn, Linda Pound, pg.24, 2005.

3. How her theory links to creativity:
• The building of the apparatus and outdoor garden meant that
children could go play freely and independently, as well as developing
new skills, such as; climbing.
• It also allows the children to explore a different environment and
express themselves through play.

4. How this theory can impact on practice:
• McMillian built large gardens for children to have space to run
around, which had an impact on other school settings to provide a
better open space for the children to play freely.
• She believed in regular routines, such as; meal times and sleep
times, as well as time for children to play.

5. Bibliography:
• Practical pre-school, how children learn, from Montessori to
Vygotsky- educational theories and approaches made easy, Linda
Pound, 2005.