Helen Bilton – författare

When the environment is right, children flourish. Just as ready-made meals don’t create great chefs, ready-made environments don’t nurture independent thinkers.Planning is key to creating rich outdoor learning experiences, where children, educators and the environment can work together. This book supports practitioners working with children aged two to six (including Reception and Year 1) develop a flexible, observation-led approach to planning that places children at the heart of the process. Rather than a rigid, one-size-fits-all process, planning should be a dynamic, responsive practice that evolves with the needs of the children and setting. Through practical examples, this book demonstrates how well-planned outdoor spaces support children’s independence and problem-solving skills. Chapters include:The planning cycle – making planning accessible and achievableGuiding principles for effective outdoor learningCreating intentional environments that support children’s curiosity and developmentObservation, assessment and documentation made manageableCase studies from real settings and their outdoor planning journeysFeatures:Hundreds of full-colour photographsReflective tasks and activities for staff developmentPractical tools for creating adaptable, child-centred plansThis book empowers early years practitioners to design outdoor learning experiences that truly meet children’s needs. By focusing on the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of planning, it ensures that day-to-day practice is guided by meaningful aims and objectives – allowing educators to spend less time on paperwork and more time engaging with the children.

When the environment is right, children flourish. Just as ready-made meals don’t create great chefs, ready-made environments don’t nurture independent thinkers.Planning is key to creating rich outdoor learning experiences, where children, educators and the environment can work together. This book supports practitioners working with children aged two to six (including Reception and Year 1) develop a flexible, observation-led approach to planning that places children at the heart of the process. Rather than a rigid, one-size-fits-all process, planning should be a dynamic, responsive practice that evolves with the needs of the children and setting. Through practical examples, this book demonstrates how well-planned outdoor spaces support children’s independence and problem-solving skills. Chapters include:The planning cycle – making planning accessible and achievableGuiding principles for effective outdoor learningCreating intentional environments that support children’s curiosity and developmentObservation, assessment and documentation made manageableCase studies from real settings and their outdoor planning journeysFeatures:Hundreds of full-colour photographsReflective tasks and activities for staff developmentPractical tools for creating adaptable, child-centred plansThis book empowers early years practitioners to design outdoor learning experiences that truly meet children’s needs. By focusing on the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of planning, it ensures that day-to-day practice is guided by meaningful aims and objectives – allowing educators to spend less time on paperwork and more time engaging with the children.

Physical development is the window to the whole child. Through watching children move, they reveal their true selves.This groundbreaking book bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering a deeper understanding of young children’s physical development in outdoor environments. It explores the specific phases of motor development, the skills children acquire and how these are closely linked to cognitive growth.This resource provides clear and accessible guidance on promoting children’s well-being, the links between language and physical development, creating environments that encourage growth, and emphasising the adult’s role in supporting and facilitating progress.Written for those working with children aged 2–6, this book serves as a practical reference guide for staff, offering adaptable resources, or as a starting point for additional study and research. Topics covered include:The importance of physical development.Stages of growth, development and maturity.Creating environments that nurture physical development.The role of the adult.Supporting parents and caregivers.Making achievable and measurable changes.Featuring full-colour photographs, activities and rich case studies, this book equips early years educators with the tools they need to fully support children’s physical development in outdoor settings.

Physical development is the window to the whole child. Through watching children move, they reveal their true selves.This groundbreaking book bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering a deeper understanding of young children’s physical development in outdoor environments. It explores the specific phases of motor development, the skills children acquire and how these are closely linked to cognitive growth.This resource provides clear and accessible guidance on promoting children’s well-being, the links between language and physical development, creating environments that encourage growth, and emphasising the adult’s role in supporting and facilitating progress.Written for those working with children aged 2–6, this book serves as a practical reference guide for staff, offering adaptable resources, or as a starting point for additional study and research. Topics covered include:The importance of physical development.Stages of growth, development and maturity.Creating environments that nurture physical development.The role of the adult.Supporting parents and caregivers.Making achievable and measurable changes.Featuring full-colour photographs, activities and rich case studies, this book equips early years educators with the tools they need to fully support children’s physical development in outdoor settings.

Now in its third edition, Outdoor Learning in the Early Years is the complete guide to creating effective outdoor environments for young children’s learning. Comprehensively revised and updated throughout, this book covers every aspect of working outdoors in the early years and fully explains the importance of outdoor play to children’s development.Key topics covered include: how to manage and set up the outdoor areawhat children gain from being outsidehow to allow children to take managed risksmaking sense of work and playhow outdoor provision helps children become self regulatoryproviding for both boys and girls in the outdoor environmentresearch supporting the outdoor approach.A book for practitioners at every level of their career; each chapter includes discussions and questions for continuing development that can easily be incorporated into INSET as well as training within further or higher education. Outdoor Learning in the Early Years contains a multitude of ideas and activities for working outdoors in the early years and provides a framework within which professionals can analyse and develop their outdoor provision and environment. This book is essential reading for all EYFS and Key Stage 1 practitioners, and for trainee teachers, their tutors, and mentors.

Now in its third edition, Outdoor Learning in the Early Years is the complete guide to creating effective outdoor environments for young children’s learning. Comprehensively revised and updated throughout, this book covers every aspect of working outdoors in the early years and fully explains the importance of outdoor play to children’s development.Key topics covered include: how to manage and set up the outdoor areawhat children gain from being outsidehow to allow children to take managed risksmaking sense of work and playhow outdoor provision helps children become self regulatoryproviding for both boys and girls in the outdoor environmentresearch supporting the outdoor approach.A book for practitioners at every level of their career; each chapter includes discussions and questions for continuing development that can easily be incorporated into INSET as well as training within further or higher education. Outdoor Learning in the Early Years contains a multitude of ideas and activities for working outdoors in the early years and provides a framework within which professionals can analyse and develop their outdoor provision and environment. This book is essential reading for all EYFS and Key Stage 1 practitioners, and for trainee teachers, their tutors, and mentors.

Making outdoor teaching and learning work in practice is now a key priority for all early years practitioners. Playing Outside provides clear and detailed guidance on all aspects of outdoor play illustrated with over 100 colour photographs. This bestselling book has been fully updated throughout to incorporate the Early Years Foundation Stage and includes completely new photographs, case studies and ideas for resources.To help promote physical activity, healty and well educated children this book provides: practical activities that cover all aspects of learning; photographs illustrating good practice and imaginative use of equipment; examples of work from a range of settings; help and advice on suppliers of equipment.Written for all practitioners working in schools, nurseries and pre-school settings, this book is essential reading for those who wish to provide inspiring outdoor play opportunities for the children in their care.

It is now officially acknowledged that outdoor play is extremely important for young children's development and that a few old bikes and a climbing frame just will not do. This book shows how to develop an outdoor learning environment properly for young children and how adult supporters should behave in this space.This book offers examples of good outdoor practice in a range of early years settings. Both practical and theoretical aspects of learning outdoors are covered, tracking a shared enthusiasm for outdoor play amongst practitioners, children and parents.The book shows how the authors set about solving common problems encountered in the outdoor area, and, using photographs, plans and written observations, the book shows how stimulating outdoor learning environments can be created.

Making outdoor teaching and learning work in practice is now a key priority for all early years practitioners. Playing Outside provides clear and detailed guidance on all aspects of outdoor play illustrated with over 100 colour photographs. This bestselling book has been fully updated throughout to incorporate the Early Years Foundation Stage and includes completely new photographs, case studies and ideas for resources.To help promote physical activity, healty and well educated children this book provides:practical activities that cover all aspects of learning; photographs illustrating good practice and imaginative use of equipment; examples of work from a range of settings; help and advice on suppliers of equipment.Written for all practitioners working in schools, nurseries and pre-school settings, this book is essential reading for those who wish to provide inspiring outdoor play opportunities for the children in their care.

Exploring Outdoors Ages 3-11 is an essential guide on how to encourage children’s learning and support their development through year-round outdoor exploration. It follows one primary school through an entire academic year, capturing the challenges, discoveries and joys of children and adults co-exploring outdoors together. This unique book covers all aspects of outdoor practice from setting up and maintaining an outdoor site to the boundaries, support and effective communication that will help to create a safe and happy environment. It traces each term of the year and focuses on the importance of role play and imaginative learning, planning activities for all weather conditions and how the National Curriculum can be applied to outdoor exploring. Features include: Step-by-step guides on how to set up an outdoor site Advice on how to observe and record children’s learning and development outdoors Real-life case studies of children exploring outdoors from EYFS through to the end of Key Stage 2 Over 100 full photographs to illustrate how outdoor exploring can encourage children’s learning and development Practical tips and ideas for outdoor activities throughout the year An eResource with useful checklists, templates and pro-forma available to downloadExploring Outdoors Ages 3-11 is essential reading for all those passionate about working outside who want to build confidence and develop their ability to co-explore with children.

Exploring Outdoors Ages 3-11 is an essential guide on how to encourage children’s learning and support their development through year-round outdoor exploration. It follows one primary school through an entire academic year, capturing the challenges, discoveries and joys of children and adults co-exploring outdoors together. This unique book covers all aspects of outdoor practice from setting up and maintaining an outdoor site to the boundaries, support and effective communication that will help to create a safe and happy environment. It traces each term of the year and focuses on the importance of role play and imaginative learning, planning activities for all weather conditions and how the National Curriculum can be applied to outdoor exploring. Features include: Step-by-step guides on how to set up an outdoor site Advice on how to observe and record children’s learning and development outdoors Real-life case studies of children exploring outdoors from EYFS through to the end of Key Stage 2 Over 100 full photographs to illustrate how outdoor exploring can encourage children’s learning and development Practical tips and ideas for outdoor activities throughout the year An eResource with useful checklists, templates and pro-forma available to downloadExploring Outdoors Ages 3-11 is essential reading for all those passionate about working outside who want to build confidence and develop their ability to co-explore with children.

Can one be too young to play outside? This unique and compelling book charts the experiences of a group of under-three-year-olds as they explore their natural outdoor environment, followed by caring and attentive adults. It deconstructs the myths that underestimate under threes and celebrates the importance of connecting children with the natural world and the influence of positive relationships in this early stage of life. Taking the First Steps Outside draws on all aspects of working outdoors, focusing on different steps of the project, main achievements and obstacles, implemented strategies and benefits for the development of young children. Features include: Stunning photographs of children exploring the outdoor environment, who are interested, thoughtful, persistent and successful Detailed descriptions of real events, illustrating how the outdoor space can be an educational context for under threes Insight into the role of the adult, as they observe and reflect upon children’s learning Advice on choosing the right resources and facilities to create a good outdoor learning environment for the young child Advice about risky play and promoting challenging and positive opportunities in the natural environment Guidance on how to set up an outdoor project for children under threeWritten to support all students, teachers, practitioners and managers working with under threes, this essential guide will help you to develop your knowledge, build confidence and gain the ability to co-explore outdoors with children.

Can one be too young to play outside? This unique and compelling book charts the experiences of a group of under-three-year-olds as they explore their natural outdoor environment, followed by caring and attentive adults. It deconstructs the myths that underestimate under threes and celebrates the importance of connecting children with the natural world and the influence of positive relationships in this early stage of life. Taking the First Steps Outside draws on all aspects of working outdoors, focusing on different steps of the project, main achievements and obstacles, implemented strategies and benefits for the development of young children. Features include: Stunning photographs of children exploring the outdoor environment, who are interested, thoughtful, persistent and successful Detailed descriptions of real events, illustrating how the outdoor space can be an educational context for under threes Insight into the role of the adult, as they observe and reflect upon children’s learning Advice on choosing the right resources and facilities to create a good outdoor learning environment for the young child Advice about risky play and promoting challenging and positive opportunities in the natural environment Guidance on how to set up an outdoor project for children under threeWritten to support all students, teachers, practitioners and managers working with under threes, this essential guide will help you to develop your knowledge, build confidence and gain the ability to co-explore outdoors with children.