The Importance of Outdoor Time

For young children, being outside is about much more than fresh air. Outdoor play is an important part of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development—which is why we make it a priority at Little Land.

Learning Through Outdoor Play

In our backyard, children have time for free, unstructured play. They can run, climb, explore, imagine, and create their own games.

Outdoor play gives toddlers space to practise balance and coordination, challenge their growing bodies, solve problems, and build confidence in what they can do.

Research supports the value of these experiences. A systematic review of nature play found positive associations with children's physical activity and cognitive play, including imaginative and creative play.

Growing (and Tasting) Our Own Food

Gardening is another special part of outdoor learning at Little Land.

Children can help plant seeds, water plants, watch them grow, pick vegetables, and taste what they have grown.

These simple experiences help children understand where food comes from while making healthy foods familiar and exciting. In a randomized study of children ages 3–5, a hands-on childcare gardening program increased children's ability to identify fruits and vegetables and increased the amount they ate during tasting sessions.

Exploring Our Community

Learning also extends beyond our backyard.

Children at Little Land will have opportunities for community walks, playground visits, and trips to the library. These everyday adventures encourage curiosity and help children become comfortable experiencing the world beyond their childcare environment.

They practise walking together, listening, observing their surroundings, interacting with others, and adapting to different settings—all while building confidence and independence.

At Little Land, we believe childhood should include plenty of opportunities to move, explore, get a little dirty, discover nature, and experience the community around us.

Because sometimes the best classroom doesn't have four walls.

Further Reading

• Dankiw et al. (2022), BMC Public Health — Nature play in early childhood education: A systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative research. This review examined 28 studies involving children ages 2–8 and explored how nature-rich environments can support the quality and variety of children's play.
  Read the full study