Reimagining the Outdoors as the First Classroom

In early years education, there’s a growing recognition of just how crucial outdoor play is for children’s development. While structured indoor learning has its place, we often underestimate the deep, lasting impact that being outdoors can have on a child’s early learning journey. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework already encourages outdoor play, but in reality, it often takes a backseat to more “formal” indoor activities. It’s time for a shift. Outdoor play should be a central, driving force behind how we approach early education.

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Children Learn Best When They’re Engaged – and That Happens Outside

Have you ever watched a child explore a muddy puddle, chase a butterfly, or build a den out of sticks and leaves? The level of concentration, creativity, and joy they display is often unmatched by anything that happens at a table inside. Young children are naturally curious and learn through active exploration. The outdoors gives them an open-ended, sensory-rich environment that nurtures this curiosity. It becomes a space where learning is instinctive, enjoyable, and deeply meaningful.

When children are outside, they’re not confined by walls or worried about staying tidy. They have room to run, climb, shout, and breathe. They can test their physical limits and develop gross motor skills in ways that indoor settings simply can’t replicate. But it’s not just about physical activity. Being outdoors also stimulates cognitive development, social interaction, and emotional resilience.

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Development Happens Holistically Outdoors

EYFS is built around the concept of holistic development – the idea that children learn and grow best when their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs are met in an integrated way. Outdoor play naturally supports this.

For example, consider a group of children working together to build a shelter in a forest school session. They’re learning to communicate, solve problems, negotiate roles, and think critically. They’re also using fine and gross motor skills, engaging with the natural world, and regulating their emotions when things don’t go as planned. That’s personal, social, and emotional development, communication and language, and physical development all in one go – and without a worksheet in sight.

This kind of experiential learning sticks. It’s real, relevant, and anchored in context. The flexibility of outdoor play means it can be easily adapted to individual interests and developmental stages, which aligns perfectly with the EYFS goal of providing personalised learning experiences.

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The Outdoors Sparks Creativity and Imagination

There’s something magical about how children engage with outdoor spaces. A patch of grass becomes a jungle. A stick turns into a magic wand. A tree stump transforms into a pirate ship. Nature doesn’t provide pre-designed toys or fixed outcomes – instead, it offers endless possibilities, and this freedom fuels imaginative play.

Creative expression is a vital part of early learning. It builds confidence, supports emotional regulation, and helps children make sense of the world around them. Outdoor play encourages this naturally. Whether children are painting with mud, making potions from leaves and water, or storytelling with natural materials, they’re engaging in deep, meaningful creative learning.

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Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing

We’re more aware than ever of the importance of mental health – not just for adults, but for children too. The early years are a critical time for building emotional resilience and developing a strong sense of self. Time spent outdoors can be a powerful protective factor.

Research shows that nature has a calming effect on the brain and can help reduce stress, anxiety, and behavioural issues in young children. According to a study published by Natural England, 90% of children reported feeling happier and healthier after spending time outdoors, especially in natural environments (Natural England, 2016). For children in the EYFS, this can be particularly valuable. Many are still learning to identify and manage their emotions, and outdoor play offers a healthy, constructive outlet.

We’ve seen first-hand how a frustrated or overwhelmed child can completely shift their mood after a simple outdoor activity – digging, jumping in puddles, or collecting leaves. There’s something grounding and healing about being in nature, and we should be leveraging that as much as possible in early education.

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Outdoor Play Encourages Risk-Taking and Independence

One of the major developmental goals in EYFS is to help children become confident, capable learners. Taking appropriate risks is a big part of that. The outdoors naturally presents challenges and opportunities for children to assess risks, make decisions, and develop independence.

Climbing a tree, balancing on a log, or navigating uneven ground helps children understand their physical capabilities and limitations. These activities also require focus, persistence, and self-regulation – all critical life skills. Importantly, outdoor environments let children take these risks in a way that feels exciting but not overwhelming.

A report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) supports this approach, stating that “risk-taking during play is essential for development,” and that overly protective environments can actually hinder a child’s growth (RoSPA, 2023). By embracing the natural risks of outdoor play, we’re helping children become more resilient, self-aware, and independent thinkers.

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Equity and Inclusion Outdoors

Another compelling reason to prioritise outdoor play is its ability to level the playing field. Indoors, children who struggle with attention, communication, or sensory processing may find it harder to engage. Outdoors, many of those barriers fall away.

The outdoor environment doesn’t demand quiet voices or sitting still. It celebrates movement, exploration, and diverse ways of learning. For children with additional needs, or those who don’t thrive in traditional classroom settings, the outdoors can be the space where they truly shine.

Moreover, natural resources are often free or low-cost. You don’t need expensive equipment to create a rich outdoor learning environment. Sticks, stones, leaves, water, and mud offer endless possibilities. This makes outdoor play a more inclusive and accessible approach for all early years settings, regardless of budget or resources.

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The Outdoors as the First Classroom

If we’re truly committed to supporting children’s development in the early years, we need to stop treating outdoor play as a break from learning and start seeing it as learning itself. The benefits are too significant to ignore. From physical health to emotional wellbeing, from creativity to cognitive development, the outdoors offers everything the EYFS aims to achieve – and often more.

So let’s challenge the status quo. Let’s stop squeezing outdoor play into small time slots or only venturing outside when the sun is shining. Instead, let’s reimagine the outdoors as the first classroom – one that’s open-ended, dynamic, inclusive, and bursting with possibility.

Because when we prioritise outdoor play, we’re not just giving children a chance to run around. We’re giving them the best possible foundation for a lifetime of learning.