Support Children’s Outdoor Play

Unit aim

The aim of this unit is to support learners to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to support children’s outdoor play. It covers the planning of activities, the use of assessment to develop and improve on plans and the importance of reflecting on own practice.

Learning outcomes

1 Understand the importance of outdoor play for children’s health, learning and development

1.1 Analyse the benefits of outdoor play on children’s

Health

Learning

Development

1.2 Explain how outdoor play is linked to other areas of learning and development

1.3 Explain how holistic plans support access to outdoor play for every child in the setting, including those with specific requirements

1.4 Explain why children need to experiment, explore and take risk through outdoor play

1.5 Explain how the development of outdoor play is supported through the combination of adult-led activities and child-initiated activities

1.6 Explain the importance of making an assessment of children’s outdoor play

2 Be able to use assessments to develop plans to support outdoor play

2.1 Make an assessment of a given child’s outdoor play

2.2 Use assessments as a basis for both short term and long term planning for the development of outdoor play

2.3 Identify sources of information to support the development of outdoor play

3 Be able to use activities for the development of  children’s outdoor play

3.1 Develop a holistic plan with input from a given child, which incorporates outdoor play, to include:

Environments within the work setting

Environments outside of the work setting

3.2 Deliver a holistic plan which incorporates the development of outdoor play

3.3 Plan play activities that make the best use of outdoor space

3.4 Use outdoor play with children in everyday activities and routines to support their learning and development

3.5 Provide both structured and spontaneous opportunities and activities that develop children’s outdoor play

3.6 Encourage and praise children in their creative use of outdoor play

4 Be able to reflect on own performance in supporting the development of  children’s outdoor play

4.1 Evaluate how own practice has contributed to the development of children’s outdoor play

4.2 Plan how to adapt own practice to support children’s outdoor play

4.3 Identify training and development needs for the improvement of own practice