The Sky's the Limit

THE LIMIT Spring is in the air and now’s the perfect time to encourage children to take a more active approach to learning, says Carla Brindley, Manager at Loughborough Nursery The Sky's

Here’s some of my ideas to get your children excited to learn…

Sensory learning As spring approaches there are a wealth of opportunities to help children explore and develop their senses. Investigating different textures of leaves and flowers, playing with taste and smells, and learning about natural seasonal cycles are just a few examples.

These mindful activities are hugely beneficial for developing fine motor skills and encouraging problem solving. Primarily, this use of hands-on learning helps to develop skills associated with control of the smaller muscles in the hands. These skills are important for tasks such as writing, manipulating materials, holding objects, and more.

Combining actions By combining activities that require simultaneous movement, talking, and listening, you activate multiple areas of the brain. Play is a fun, voluntary activity that encourages communication and listening skills, as well as essential skills such as compromise, conflict resolution and sharing, while also nurturing creativity and imagination.

Through guided play, children can still experience the joy of play but with the additional challenge of progressing towards a specific learning goal. Playing with shapes and counting exercises helps to develop literacy and numeracy skills, for example, while active play helps develop physical coordination and strength.

Examples of activities that combine both sensory learning and play include traditional methods using simple materials like playdough which have a wealth of possibilities, developing fine motor skills and relying on senses such as touch and sight. It’s a really simple and effective way to get children to experiment and learn.

Outdoor play Technology is advancing rapidly and children are becoming more and more exposed to screens and digital platforms than ever before. There are various advantages to introducing interactive screens into a child’s learning practices, however I believe there should be a balance with alternative screen-free learning.

With the temperatures beginning to feel warmer it’s the perfect opportunity to explore your local woodland environment or your own back garden. Outdoor play encourages curiosity, enabling children to learn and discover new things with a hands-on approach. Activities like building dens, going on a nature hunt, or playing in a ‘mud kitchen’ are really engaging for little ones, helping them on a journey of self-discovery, improving communication and raising self-esteem.

Once children step outside, you immediately see a different side to them, as their imagination and creativity really begin to flow freely. Incorporating these ‘out-of-the-box’ learning styles are not just about teaching tactics, but they expand the whole learning environment to inspire children to look at their world differently.