Cylch Meithrin Pontrhydfendigaid

What did you do?

We took the children for a short walk from the Cylch to an area with trees nearby. We used the resources in the pack, as well as some of our own resources. The children were encouraged to explore the trees and the natural world around them. One of the activities they enjoyed most was looking at the leaves and trying to identify the different trees. We also used binoculars, which encouraged the children to look carefully at what was around them and to see what they were able to see.

How did the children respond to the activity?

The children responded very well to the activity. They were excited to be out and very curious about what they could find. They enjoyed exploring at their own pace and were eager to take a close look at the trees and leaves around them.

What did they enjoy most about it?

The children loved looking at the leaves and trying to identify the different trees. They also loved using the binoculars to look around them and see what they were able to see. Using these resources encouraged their curiosity and made them want to explore further.

Did you notice any learning or conversations that came out of the activity?

Yes. The children developed their knowledge of the natural world by looking at the different leaves and trying to identify which trees they belonged to. They used their observation skills and talked about what they were able to see. The binoculars also encouraged the children to look carefully at things that were further away and to share what they had seen with each other and with the adults.

What did you do next?

The children’s interest in the trees and in recognising the leaves has encouraged us to continue exploring the natural world around the Cylch. We can build on this by looking at different trees throughout the seasons, collecting and comparing leaves and observing how the natural world is changing. We can also continue to follow the children’s interests and use their questions and discoveries to plan future outdoor learning experiences.

Would you recommend the activity to other venues? If so, why?

I would recommend the activity because it is a simple way to get the children outdoors and encourage them to learn by exploring their local area. There is no need to travel far or have a lot of expensive equipment. The children were able to use the natural resources that were around them, as well as the resources from the pack, and were enthusiastic and excited to explore.

It also gave the children the opportunity to lead their own learning, ask questions, observe carefully and develop their knowledge of the natural world while having fun in the great outdoors.