Playing Outdoors in the Early Years [Paperback]

A recent report has found that young children are not receiving the play-based education they are supposed to because of pressure on practitioners to prepare for more formal learning in later years. In this engaging and stimulating guide, Ros Garrick considers every aspect of outdoor play - from its rationale in early childhood education, to incorporating it successfully into the curriculum and assessing its wider implications for teaching and learning. This new edition has been brought up-to-date with recent national and international research, the Every Child Matters Agenda and the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance. New case studies and examples of international practice are included, as well as a fully updated list of useful organizations and agencies.
A recent report has found that young children are not receiving the play-based education they are supposed to because of pressure on practitioners to prepare for more formal learning in later years. In this engaging and stimulating guide, Ros Garrick considers every aspect of outdoor play - from its rationale in early childhood education, to incorporating it successfully into the curriculum and assessing its wider implications for teaching and learning. This new edition has been brought up-to-date with recent national and international research, the Every Child Matters Agenda and the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance. New case studies and examples of international practice are included, as well as a fully updated list of useful organizations and agencies.

AcknowledgementsPreface Introduction 1. A Rationale for Outdoor Play in Early Childhood Education and Care Children's voices Can you remember? What are children's views? Changing landscapes Children's health An environment for all kinds of learning Gender issues 2. The Place of the Garden in the Historical Development of Early Childhood Education Froebel Margaret McMillan Susan Isaacs The historical tradition of play 3. Perspectives on Youngls+