Routledge Outdoor Play for Healthy Little Minds: Practical Ideas to Promote Children’s Wellbeing in the Early Years (Little Minds Matter)

This essential resource is designed to help busy early years practitioners to support the mental health of young children through outdoor play. Promoting social and emotional wellbeing in childhood has never been more important, and outdoor play is a crucial tool to build resilience, develop healthy relationships, and boost self-esteem. Using relatable case studies that demonstrate achievable change, the book is full of practical advice and strategies for exploring nature in both natural and man-made landscapes, and includes guidance on how to co-create inviting play spheres with children. Each chapter provides: Adaptable and cost-effective activities designed to help children feel more confident and connected to the world around them. Case studies and reflective opportunities to prompt practitioners to consider and develop their own practice. An accessible and engaging format with links to theorists, risk assessment, and individual schemas. Outdoor play allows young children to explore who they are and what they can do. It supports them as they learn to think critically, take risks, and form a true sense of belonging with their peers and with the wider community. This is an indispensable resource for practising and trainee early years practitioners, Reception teachers, and childminders as they facilitate outdoor play in their early years setting. Review Sarah has given teachers, parents, all of us a practical but heartfelt guide to nature connection. This is her gift to this and the next generation of children and families. Richard Louv, author of 'Last Child in the Woods' and 'Vitamin N.' The most brilliant, easy to read and engaging book on outdoor learning and play I have ever read. Packed full of rich anecdotes and solid research, it is indispensable guide for educators everywhere. Mike Fairclough, author of ‘Wild Thing’ and Headmaster of West Rise Junior School, winner of the TES School of The Year A must-read. This remarkable book is an essential read for anyone who values outdoor play and well-being. It is packed full of practical, accessible ideas and strategies underpinned by the latest research. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and reflecting on how to support nature connectedness in our settings. Outdoor Play for Healthy Little Minds reminds us that ‘the best classroom and the richest cupboard are roofed only by the sky.’ Anthony Hadfield, ex-headteacher and founder of Head into the Wild This book is lovingly filled with the joy of play. Packed full of useful suggestions, examples of practice and insightful comments from the children themselves, this is a wonderful book. Sarah combines her deep knowledge of children and their capacity to learn with a clear rationale of the ways in which play builds cognitive understanding, emotional & physical development and social connection. I recommend this book highly for all those who seek to understand children further and celebrate the wonders of childhood. Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive at The Chartered College of teaching and Honorary Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge This wonderful book shows how play develops skills that lead to balanced, resilient people. Parents, teachers and all of us who work with children will find valuable ways to look at the world through fresh eyes. Dr Simon Lennane, GP and Mental Health GP Lead, Herefordshire CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) This is a delightful and very special gem of a book! Warm, personal, thought-provoking, extensively researched and jam packed with brilliant & practical ideas for outdoor learning and play. I have admired Sarah’s knowledge, wisdom and expertise for a long time and in this book Sarah gives us the know-how and confidence to optimise our school grounds and approach to play to develop imagination, creativity, well-being, language skills, resilience, and promote co-existence, equity and inclusion. I have learned a lot, this is a must read guide for an