About half of the blog posts on this website are early years in focus. I am currently working 50% on early years work and 50% on primary matters. In Scotland, one is qualified to teach from 3-12yrs with a primary school education qualification.
To find a relevant blog post, a quick way is to use the search facility below. Just type in a key word and see which blog posts come up. Please do come back in a couple of months as I intend to categorise this section once again.
My conundrum about my use of a tarp
How do we phase out the use of plastic tarps. Should we? What about repurposing possibilities?
International Outdoor, Nature and Forest Kindergartens
Free case studies to download about international examples of nature, forest and outdoor kindergartens.
Outdoor Learning and Play: FREE Podcasts and Webinars
A collection which includes ones Juliet has given plus loads more.
9 Ideas about Magnifiers
Celebrating the art of looking closely at everything around us.
100’s of wonderful outdoor and nature-based ideas from around the world-wide-web
Putting all that we find in one place to save you searching…
Connecting Nature Pedagogy and Forest School: Joining the Dots
If you are interested in nature-based practice, then get a copy of this book! It’s THE outdoor book of 2021.
15+ Alternatives to Using Laminated Sheets Outside
We can move on from using laminates to alternative approaches which cause less environmental impact. This post considers some of the options.
Outdoor Childcare Services in Scotland: Nurseries, Childminders and Out-of-School Clubs
A list of Scottish pre-school and out-of-school clubs that are mainly outdoors and up for it!
Learning right before my eyes!
Guest blog by Lesley McLaren, Creative STAR…
10+ Useful Fiction Books to Support Nature Play and Transition from Nursery to Primary 1
Love books, love nature play…
Hunting for Gold
A springtime treasure hunt
Group masking tape artwork
Step-by-step process, ideal for completing over several sessions
Valuing the Outdoors in the Early Years
Time to begin your day outside
Colour and light explorations with sweet wrappers
Sweeten up your tarp!
Bonfire Night – Engaging Families at Stramash Fort William
A community play in the dark event
Let’s build an igloo!
A brilliant technology project for a sunny, snowy winters day.
Bamboo Guttering – 8 Reasons Why I Like This Resource
Light, portable, versatile, open-ended, fun…
Meaningful environmental print at Stramash Outdoor Nurseries
Reading, writing and maths on a post!
Pop Up Nature Play
Create a nature play space anywhere.
Every Child is a Mover at a Stramash Outdoor Nursery
Creating a movement rich outdoor space, Stramash-style
A Pocket Outdoor Maths Kit
Show and tell – best mini maths resources
Simon Nicholson and The Theory of Loose Parts – 1 Million Thanks
The man who changed the play world
Westpark – An Evolution Not a Revolution
Re-use, re-purpose, re-cycle & re-make your space.
Lauko darželis – The First Lithuanian Outdoor Kindergarten
The first of its kind in the country and what a positive example!
Googly Eyes – Exploring Magnetism Outside
Everything has eyes… they are watching you
The Highway Farm Sandpit
The ultimate DIY sandpit with levels, channels, mirrors and much more!
Garden Labels of Love
Wonderful examples of labelling beyond the usual labels.
Maths Investigations from Tyntesfield Primary School
Simple doable ideas for data handling outdoors and exploring number for primary classes.
Environmental Services – Support for Schools
Local council support
Fairies – A Risk Benefit Assessment
Essential for anyone with a fairy garden
In the beginning… starting from scratch to develop your outdoor space
Changing hearts, minds and practice
Wee Green Fingers
Plants for school grounds – some ideas.
VELCRO® fastener v. Cable Ties – An Alternative Attachment Theory
Va va voom. Va va Velcro!
The Soapwort Experiment
Natural soap – a “handy” thing!
Masking Tape Shape Explorations
An arty approach to investigating shape
Forming Letters Outdoors
How to make handwriting fun