Every parent knows the feeling of freedom when their children are let outside after a period of being inside. The sense of freedom and joy that can spread across their faces is unforgettable. We, as parents, recognise that they are happier, calmer and more involved with their environment around them. It is a recognised fact that they can learn more and are more engaged when outside.
So why do we hesitate? Why are we reluctant as parents to find an excuse. ’Oh he will catch cold‘ or ‘It’s not good weather.’ We should take heart and begin to realise that there is no such thing as bad weather only inappropriate clothing! We should set ourselves fresh challenges for our children’s sake. This is taken to an extreme in certain Scandinavian and Scottish Nurseries that do not have an indoors at all. The children are exposed and stimulated by everything around them, light and dark, warmth in dens and under duvets, light and shade, water snow sun and ice. Sometimes our city children have limited space and one Nursery school in Wavertree, Bluebell Nursery have decided to open up some derelict land at the side of their school..
They have called it ‘Operation Wild Side’. And with the help of parents they are clearing an area so that they can develop an adventure environment that has water features, rocks and stones to sort, a butterfly garden area and an imaginary sea scape complete with a boat. Well done Bluebell Nursery.