a place for slowing down

Engaging with nature, through adventuring outdoors and bringing natural elements into the classroom, offers a wealth of benefits. Outdoors, children are free to explore, discover, and connect with their surroundings through all their senses, fostering a deep appreciation for the environment.

Current research supports a strong outdoor program in a childcare centre. Unstructured outdoor play improves "executive functions" like working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. Research based on Attention Restoration Theory shows that natural environments help "reset" a child’s ability to focus, making them more engaged during indoor learning tasks. Further studies show that a child’s cortisol (stress hormone) levels drop significantly within minutes of being in a green space. Children playing in natural, unpredictable environments tend to exhibit more cooperation, empathy, and social negotiation than those playing with structured indoor toys.

Bringing nature indoors, through materials like leaves, stones, wood, and water, provides endless opportunities for hands-on exploration, creative expression, and scientific investigation. These natural provocations stimulate curiosity, promote problem-solving, and allow children to revisit and reflect on their outdoor experiences, enriching their learning journeys and strengthening their connection to the world around them.