Outdoor Learning in EYFS: How Nature and Outdoor Play Enhances Early Years Education

Introduction

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework recognises the importance of a balanced approach to learning and development, one that values both structured indoor activities and exploratory experiences in the natural environment. Outdoor learning is not merely a break from classroom routines; it is a powerful pedagogical tool that nurtures physical development, fosters emotional resilience, encourages creativity, and deepens children’s understanding of the world. For children in the early years, nature becomes both a teacher and a classroom. As such, embracing outdoor play and nature-based learning is vital for creating a well-rounded, stimulating, and developmentally appropriate early years curriculum.

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In this article, we will explore how outdoor learning enhances education in the early years by supporting all areas of the EYFS, promoting physical health and well-being, encouraging social and emotional growth, inspiring creativity, and providing real-world learning opportunities. We will also discuss practical strategies for implementing outdoor learning in early years settings and conclude with an example of how one nursery in Leyland, UK—Little Mowgli—champions outdoor learning.

The Significance of Outdoor Learning in EYFS

Outdoor learning encompasses a wide range of activities and experiences that take place outside the traditional indoor classroom environment. These can include free play in gardens or playgrounds, guided nature walks, forest school sessions, gardening, den-building, water play, and more structured lessons delivered in an open-air setting.

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The EYFS framework identifies three prime areas of learning: communication and language, physical development, and personal, social and emotional development. Additionally, there are four specific areas: literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design. Outdoor learning supports all these areas holistically and organically, often integrating multiple learning goals into a single experience.

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Children are naturally curious, and the outdoor environment offers endless opportunities for discovery, experimentation, and exploration. Whether watching a ladybird crawl across a leaf, splashing in a puddle, or measuring the height of a sunflower, outdoor experiences bring learning to life in ways that are active, engaging, and memorable.

Physical Development in the Great Outdoors

Outdoor environments naturally encourage physical activity. Running, climbing, balancing, jumping, digging, carrying, and building all help children to develop gross and fine motor skills, improve hand-eye coordination, and build muscle strength. These are essential skills for future tasks such as writing, self-care, and participating in sport.

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Moreover, time spent outdoors allows children to engage in risky play within a supervised and safe context. Activities like climbing trees, walking across logs, or balancing on beams help children to assess risks, improve their balance and coordination, and build confidence. Risky play contributes to the development of independence, decision-making, and resilience—key characteristics of effective learning.

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Outdoor play also combats the increasing concern of childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles. The freedom of movement outdoors, combined with natural motivation to explore, results in sustained physical activity that supports overall health and well-being.

Emotional and Social Growth Through Outdoor Experiences

Emotional development in the early years is closely linked to a child’s sense of well-being, belonging, and self-esteem. Outdoor play offers an ideal context for developing these traits. In nature, children often feel more relaxed and less constrained, allowing them to express themselves freely, regulate their emotions more effectively, and engage with their environment at their own pace.

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Social development is equally enhanced in outdoor settings. Playing together in open spaces encourages collaboration, communication, and negotiation. Children learn to work together to build dens, share tools in a mud kitchen, or take turns on a climbing frame. These shared experiences help to develop empathy, cooperation, and conflict resolution skills.

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Furthermore, outdoor environments tend to be less structured than indoor classrooms, giving children more autonomy and encouraging leadership, problem-solving, and independent thinking. This contributes to the development of a positive self-image and a growing sense of competence.

Communication and Language Development Outdoors

Outdoor environments offer a rich and dynamic setting for language development. Conversations happen naturally as children describe what they see, hear, feel, and do. The excitement of discovering a worm under a stone or building a sandcastle provides authentic, meaningful opportunities to use new vocabulary, ask questions, and engage in dialogue.

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Practitioners can support language development by modelling descriptive language, asking open-ended questions, and encouraging children to tell stories inspired by their surroundings. Activities such as nature scavenger hunts, outdoor storytelling circles, or imaginary play in a woodland area can further enhance communication skills.

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In multilingual settings, outdoor play can offer inclusive opportunities for children to communicate through gestures, movement, and shared experiences, helping non-verbal or less confident speakers to feel part of the group.

Literacy and Mathematics in Nature

While traditional literacy and numeracy are often associated with indoor, desk-based learning, outdoor environments offer countless opportunities to develop these foundational skills in engaging and meaningful ways.

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For literacy development, outdoor learning can include:

• Storytelling using natural props
  
  
• Creating nature-themed poems
  
  
• Drawing letters in sand, mud, or snow
  
  
• Writing signs for a garden or labels for plants
  
  
• Reading maps or following picture-based treasure hunts
  
  

‍For mathematics, children can engage with:

• Counting natural objects (leaves, pebbles, pinecones)
  
  
• Measuring distances or heights
  
  
• Comparing weights using buckets and water
  
  
• Exploring shapes and patterns in the environment
  
  
• Estimating and problem-solving during construction play
  
  

These hands-on, sensory-rich experiences make abstract concepts concrete and relatable. They help children to see the relevance of literacy and numeracy in everyday life.

Understanding the World Through Nature

Nature is a natural laboratory. It allows children to observe seasonal changes, explore plant and animal life, and engage with natural materials. This encourages scientific thinking—asking questions, making predictions, testing ideas, and drawing conclusions.

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Gardening, for example, teaches children about plant life cycles, the needs of living things, and sustainability. Watching seeds sprout and grow into flowers or vegetables connects children to the earth and fosters environmental stewardship from an early age.

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Weather patterns, habitats, mini-beasts, and natural resources offer endless possibilities for developing knowledge and curiosity about the world. This aligns closely with the ‘Understanding the World’ area of the EYFS, which lays the groundwork for future learning in science, geography, and environmental studies.

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Children also begin to develop an understanding of their place in the wider community and the interdependence of all living things. This sense of connectedness helps to build empathy, respect, and responsibility.

Expressive Arts and Design in the Open Air

The natural world is full of inspiration for creative expression. Outdoor environments offer an ever-changing canvas for painting, sculpture, music, dance, and imaginative play.

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Children can create transient art using leaves, stones, and sticks; they can paint with mud or explore natural dyes. They may build fairy houses from bark and moss or make percussion instruments from hollow logs and seed pods. The open space allows for large-scale artwork and full-body movement, supporting children who may not thrive in more restrictive indoor settings.

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Dramatic play also flourishes outdoors. A tree becomes a pirate ship; a fallen log turns into a dragon; a grassy hill transforms into a stage. This imaginative engagement not only supports expressive arts but also language, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills.

Sensory and Experiential Learning in Nature

Young children learn best through hands-on, sensory experiences. Outdoor environments are uniquely rich in sights, sounds, textures, and smells. Whether it’s the squelch of mud, the rustle of leaves, the scent of rain on grass, or the warmth of sunlight, these sensory inputs are crucial for brain development and help to create powerful, lasting memories.

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Sensory play in nature helps to calm the nervous system and support self-regulation. Children with sensory processing challenges often find the outdoor environment more accommodating and therapeutic. Activities like barefoot walking on grass, pouring water through funnels, or digging in sand promote fine motor skills and cognitive development in a stress-free setting.

The Role of the Adult in Outdoor Learning

While outdoor learning provides opportunities for child-led exploration, the role of the adult is vital in scaffolding learning and ensuring that environments are safe, inclusive, and enriching.

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Practitioners can support outdoor learning by:

• Planning for progression in outdoor experiences
  
  
• Modelling curiosity and enthusiasm
  
  
• Introducing new vocabulary and concepts
  
  
• Encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking
  
  
• Observing and documenting children’s learning
  
  
• Creating flexible routines that maximise time outdoors
  
  

Effective outdoor learning does not require expensive equipment or large forest school sites. Even small gardens, courtyards, or nearby parks can offer meaningful nature-based experiences when thoughtfully utilised.

Challenges and Solutions in Outdoor Provision

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While the benefits of outdoor learning are well-established, practitioners may face barriers such as:

• Limited space or poor-quality outdoor areas
  
  
• Weather constraints
  
  
• Health and safety concerns
  
  
• Lack of training or confidence in delivering outdoor sessions
  
  

These challenges can be overcome through creative solutions:

• Using portable resources and loose parts
  
  
• Planning for all-weather play (with suitable clothing and shelters)
  
  
• Involving families in supporting outdoor provision
  
  
• Seeking professional development opportunities
  
  
• Partnering with local parks, farms, or community gardens
  
  

A culture that values outdoor learning starts with leadership. Managers and senior practitioners must prioritise outdoor experiences and embed them into the daily rhythm of the setting.

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Also Read: - Benefits of outdoor games for Kids

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Long-Term Benefits of Outdoor Learning

The impact of outdoor learning extends far beyond the early years. Children who spend time outdoors are more likely to develop lifelong habits of physical activity, environmental awareness, and emotional resilience.

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Research shows that nature-based learning improves concentration, reduces stress, boosts academic outcomes, and enhances overall well-being. As such, a strong foundation in outdoor learning sets children up not only for school success but for life.

Conclusion: Celebrating Outdoor Learning at Little Mowgli

At Little Mowgli nursery in Leyland, outdoor learning is woven into the fabric of everyday practice. The nursery’s philosophy places great value on the natural world as a source of inspiration, discovery, and joy. Whether exploring the sensory garden, hunting for mini-beasts, or enjoying stories under the willow tree, children are encouraged to engage with their environment in meaningful and imaginative ways. The outdoor spaces at Little Mowgli are thoughtfully designed to stimulate curiosity, support holistic development, and provide inclusive learning experiences for every child. Through their commitment to nature-based education, Little Mowgli continues to foster confident, capable learners who are connected to the world around them.

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