Sep 7, 2011 | Developing School Grounds & Outdoor Spaces, Early Years Outdoors, Nature Play & Learning
Mulleborg is a Swedish outdoor pre-school. This means that the children who attend will spend at least 80% of their time outside, all-year round in all weathers. For more information have a look at this case study and the Rain or Shine report which I wrote after...
Aug 27, 2011 | Early Years Outdoors, Nature Play & Learning
One weekend in August 2011, a special event took place in Sweden just outside Stockholm. The first International Skogsmulle training course. To my knowledge it is the only international course ever offered by the Friluftsfrämjandet organisation....
Aug 18, 2011 | Nature Play & Learning, Whole School
At the end of last term I had the privilege of delivering an in-set day in Dumfries and Galloway that was hosted by St Mungo Primary School. I had been looking forward to the day, not least because half of the activities were undertaken in their local woodland....
Aug 11, 2011 | Developing School Grounds & Outdoor Spaces, Early Years Outdoors, Nature Play & Learning
Cowgate Under 5’s Centre’s outdoor space has undergone quite a transformation since the last time I was there. What really struck me was the sheer abundance of beautiful stones scattered around every nook and cranny… Stones in the outdoor shed (no...
Aug 7, 2011 | Developing School Grounds & Outdoor Spaces, Early Years Outdoors, Nature Play & Learning
This blog post was originally published in August 2011. However I decided to repost in recognition of Lynn McNair’s time at Cowgate and to keep this moment in time captured. Previously I’ve blogged about Cowgate Under 5’s Centre here and here....
Jul 27, 2011 | Nature Play & Learning
Ever since I was a child I have loved red squirrels. I grew up in a part of Britain where these furry mammals lived. When I was about nine years old, I remember visiting a friend of the family who had chanced upon an abandoned baby red squirrel and managed to rear it...
Apr 30, 2011 | Nature Play & Learning, Science Outdoors
This blog post is entirely inspired by Judy Duncan, a Primary 7 teacher at Kingswells Primary School in Aberdeen. All credit goes to her for the photos and the text below: “I’m trying to encourage everyone to use our outdoor areas more. I take a P5 class...
Apr 11, 2011 | Nature Play & Learning
According to Sobel (2008) there are 7 play themes – common to children anywhere – any country, any background, any climate or culture, when children have safe free time in nature. Over the past few years I’ve found these to be really helpful when planning...
Feb 2, 2011 | Nature Play & Learning
Sticks are not a commonly used resource in most schools. Images of children getting hurt through being poked in the eye run rife through the heads of many teachers. The thought of having to confiscate sticks and deal with behaviour issues around mock gun fights and...
Dec 2, 2010 | Art & Music Outdoors, Nature Play & Learning, Play Resources
Ever since childhood I have been an occasional collector of sea glass when going for beach walks. Some beaches are better than others. I rarely find a piece on the NE coast of Scotland. But further north, along the Moray Coast and on the south-west coast I have more...
Oct 2, 2010 | Early Years Outdoors, Health & Wellbeing, Nature Play & Learning, Science Outdoors, Whole School
The wet and windy weather we’ve been having in NE Scotland does have its advantages at this time of year. Suddenly fungi can be found everywhere! Our local woodlands are full of mushrooms and toadstools that add to the seasonal beauty and wonder of a visit. If...
Aug 8, 2010 | Early Years Outdoors, Nature Play & Learning
Sometimes there are days that I wish would never end. I want to savour the magic of the moment forever. It’s hard to describe what makes a perfect day as these are always a unique relationship between the people, the activities and the places that they happen....
Jul 12, 2010 | Developing School Grounds & Outdoor Spaces, Nature Play & Learning
I have always been fascinated by ducks and other wildfowl. As a child, one of my favourite books was The Story About Ping. I’m bewitched by the rather naughty duck on Farmer Brown’s farm and the star character in Giggle Giggle Quack. As a child I was lucky...
Nov 1, 2009 | Literacy Outdoors, Nature Play & Learning, Science Outdoors
With the clocks having gone back one week ago, suddenly I feel we’re heading into winter. Signs of death and decay are everywhere from a road killed fox and hedgehog to fallen leaves fluttering down the streets leaving a distinctly ghost town feel to being out and...
Dec 4, 2008 | Early Years Outdoors, Nature Play & Learning, Science Outdoors
I am delighted! The cold spell has continued which has resulted in more than 90 school closures in the NE Scotland and thousands of children given day release. However I am not sorry that my school remained open throughout. Snow provides fantastic learning...
