ABSTRACT

The emphasis on physical expression in this programme gives children the opportunity to learn and succeed in a holistic child-centred way. The Healthy, Active and Outside (HAO) programme is unique and distinctive and presents exciting opportunities to stimulate decision making with regard to developing the outdoor environment into a space to improve knowledge and understanding of outdoor education. It has the potential to contribute towards the development of the whole child, including social interaction, communication and relationship building for all children, whatever their ability, at the same time as interpreting the curriculum guidance creatively to engage all children. However, this cannot be achieved without some understanding about play itself. Equally important is the need to develop a shared understanding of the outside area’s potential use for all outdoor play and the need to create opportunities for risk taking at the same time as offering children opportunities to be alone or to be with others, to be active or to be still, and much more. Throughout the book the terms ‘setting’ or ‘school’ are used to denote any education establishment for young children and the term ‘parent’ is used to denote parents, carers and guardians. In case studies all names have been changed to protect the children’s identities.