Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Children explore the yard at their centre and the features present in their yards. Younger children will look for natural features and identify their favourite parts of the yard. Older children will use a map to navigate a path through the yard, adding more features to the map as they go. Finally they will create their own map showing the features important or interesting to them.
This activity is designed to help connect children to the wonders of the natural world through sensory and play-based learning.
This lesson is designed to be taught outside. It contains all the tools required for children to reap the benefits of being outdoors while meeting the learning outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. By spending time outdoors and connecting to nature, children are more likely to care for and conserve nature as adults.
We’ve taken elements of this lesson and adapted them for remote learning. You can find these activities here and here.
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EYLF Learning Outcome |
Elaborations |
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Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world |
3. Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment |
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Outcome 4: Children are involved and confident learners |
1. Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity 3. Children resource their own learning through connecting with people , place, technologies, and natural and processed materials |
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Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators |
1. Children interact verbally and non verbally with others for a range of purposes 3. Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media |
Resources required:
- Older children – A hand drawn map of the yard at your centre showing major features such as locations of buildings, trees, paths, play equipment and other features. Leave off smaller features (children can add these later). In lead pencil mark a path on the map that you can follow with your children.
Supporting resources:
- Why learn outdoors?
- Tips for making outdoor learning easier
- Designing your outdoor learning space
- Outdoor Learning – Risks/hazards and actions
Cool Australia would like to thank The Albert George & Nancy Caroline Youngman Trust – managed by Equity Trustees.
Cool Australia would like to acknowledge the support of the Seedlings Early Years Education for Sustainability (EYEfS) program.
Background information