Like many other teachers, I love and appreciate children’s books. Whenever I walk into a bookshop, the children’s section is a “must visit” .
When I ran outdoor literacy courses, I would set aside time to use books as a basis for outdoor work. In the past I’ve found them to be a great inspiration for creative outdoor activity – either adult or child-initiated for children of all ages and myself. Most early years staff will talk enthusiastically about “We’re going on a bear hunt” and some of the ideas participants have told me about have been incredibly creative and hugely enjoyable.
The opportunity to hear, join in and listen to books outside is just as enjoyable as indoors. If children are not used to being read to outside, then start slowly with a pair or small group and gradually increase the numbers. In my experience, if there is a group of interested children, then using story washing lines work best.
Have lots of cushions, blankets and comfy mats to sit on, especially in cooler weather. Dens and shelters provide protection from the weather. Torches and lanterns add fun, interest and atmosphere when used with the right book.
Outdoor book bags can be created which can save time collating resources. These can be for use at your school or centre. However with a little bit of adapting, outdoor book bags add interest to the standard ones issued at transition times to children and their parent.
Choosing Books to Read Outside
Neil Griffiths, the founder of Storysack, recommends using the following criteria for selecting a book:
- A strong story line
- Quality illustrations
- Can be read aloud with ease
- A content and interest level appropriate to young children
- Children’s favourites
- Recommended by parents and carers
- Selected by staff as quality picture books
- Recommended by a local bookshop
Props to Accompany Books
Any resources used outside will get worn more quickly. Cheap and cheerful resources are strongly recommended rather than beautiful matching games, etc. Consider providing:
- Puppets and soft toys that are machine washable
- Photos, poems, backdrops and information sheets – look at the alternatives to laminates post for protecting them
- Games that are derived from natural materials such as sticks, stones, shells, etc.
- Resources with a clear local link, e.g. local wildlife soft toys
- Waterproof playmats or tarps
- Open ended resources such as a piece of material which can be used in many different ways
- A plastic sleeve or jacket for your book
Different books lend themselves to different outdoor activities. Some are naturally cross-curricular and can result in children initiating a range of activities. Others may only have a link in one or two different areas. The advantage of a book-based activity are that children get repeated exposure to the storyline, characters, setting and ideas. This helps reinforce many pre-reading skills.
What are your experiences of reading outdoors with children? I thought it was interesting that Gareth Malone in his Extraordinary School for Boys series chose to take children outside to read and be read to. At the overnight camp, parents took turns to read a ghost story aloud to the children. It’s a cheap, simple step to learning outdoors.
I love to read outside with my kids, but the dreamy surroundings you’ve shown here put my little yard to shame! 🙂 Seriously though, this is an easy way for parents to get kids outside & connected to nature on busy school days.
Juliet, I am ashamed to admit this, but it has never occurred to me to take the books outdoors. We are now going to take our books outdoors. It makes me wonder about all the other obvious things that are invisible to me! =)
We love to plop a picnic rug and a basket of books somewhere in the shade – it is the perfect space for kids to take time out and slow down outside. And can I say that the cave is perfect – I’ve never thought of actually making a cave for the bear hunt story but now it is up there in my head for future reference.
I don’t know a child that doesn’t like reading or listening to stories outside! The Gruffalo, Stick Man, We’re Going On A Bear Hunt and the Charlie and Lola “I’m just not keen on spiders” are all top favourites with the under 5s in Aberdeenshire! I think the attraction is the balance of doing something familiar within an unusal setting. And making it cosy (in Aberdeenshire anyway)is just lovely.
Hot chocolate also goes down well too!
I don’t think we have ever done any reading outside! Oh, dear!!
Once we have some space to sit outside and enjoy I will be deifinitely moving some of our reading outside 🙂
What a fantastic reminder and an inspiring assortment of ideas.
Thank you for linking up to We Play.
I love the tarp setup for cold weather! I have such fond memories of my mother reading to us outside, but haven’t done it much this summer even though I did a lot last year. Thanks for the reminder!
I love the props. We’ve read books outside before but never with props! How fun! We just checked out “We’re going on a leaf hunt.” I think I’m going to set up a reading area to finish up in after we go on our leaf hunt. thanks for sharing!
Does it count if I read *my* books outside and the kids see me while they race around me on their tricycles? Seriously, Sydney, Australia has the perfect climate for reading outdoors and we do it sometimes, but not yet with props!
Oh, thank you for this post! One of my favorite memories of my elementary school years was when our teacher took us to the nearby park and read to us books like “Where the Red Fern Grows.” As a homeschooling mom, I regularly packed a basket with a book, and snacks, things we were exploring with our curriculum and my daughters and I went outside to learn and play. We always read outdoors: anything from Harry Potter to favorite picture books to the Little House novels and more. As an early learning teacher at a school on a farm I bring books outside and read books to the kids that tie in with what we’re doing on the farm and what’s happening in nature. What I read aloud usually ends up in our play and discovery time. Ex. I read the Herb Fairies book about the Chickweed Fairy, and then we ended up foraging for Chickweed and other wild and planted edibles, and making remedies. So much fun! I’m now more actively exploring literacy with kids outdoors, and am excited to discover you and your work, Juliet!
Hello Jane – thanks for both responses and I think you have summarised nicely in one paragraph why reading outside works so well for children.