Articles, ideas & activities to support you to work, learn & play outdoors, full of contributions from real-life Outdoor Practitioners. Perfect for Early Years, primary schools, Forest School & outdoor settings old and new.
If you would like to contribute to the Outdoor Practitioner or reproduce one of our articles in your newsletter or magazine, email editor@muddyfaces.co.uk
Explore risky play outdoors from all sorts of perspectives, with reflective articles, practical guides, expert opinions and top tips from experienced outdoor practitioners including Kathryn Solly, Nikki Buchan, Dr Mel McCree, Tim Gill, Lou Ambrose and Matt Harder, trustee of FSA.
"As Outdoor Practitioners, we know the many and varied benefits of playing and learning outdoors. This issue we focus on the benefits to health and wellbeing - our articles address issues from climate anxiety to fire safety, snow days and gratitude to projects that build in inclusion and tackle disadvantage, and a brand new investigation into the depths of understanding we can bring to the simple act of outdoor snacks and the importance of comfort, from Dr Mel McCree."
Contents
Health & Wellbeing Focus Reclaiming snack time - the importance of comfort: exclusive article from outdoor expert Dr Mel McCree • Building in Inclusion with WWT • Bringing Therapy outdoors - Forest School & mental health • snow day at Forest School • Talking about climate change with Learning through Landscapes • theory & practice of an outdoor programme for disadvantaged families • The healing power of gratitude • Forest bathing with Forestry England
Features • A child’s eye view of Forest School • Nature Premium update
Activities Campfire popcorn & make your own sieve popcorn cooker
Practitioners Voice Working with different access needs • Fiery Fox fire safety book • Project postcards - outdoor opportunities at a Brighton Primary School & a loose parts project in London
"With Forest School Day on 8 October, we thought our Autumn issue would be a great way to join in and celebrate Forest School - you’ll find activities, case studies and more on this subject which is at the heart of all we do."
Contents
Forest School Focus Forest School Day • Nature Connection or Nature Contact • 7 ways to deepen your connection to nature • Forest in the City - Forest School in an urban setting • Forest School Stories - overcoming an arson attack • 6 Forest School Principles
Activities Whittle your own hazel knife • Square lashing • Autumn inspirations • Leaf needle felting • Autumn hanging mobile
Guides Fascinating Fungi with the British Mycological Society • Storm Kettles
Practitioners Voice Reflecting on access to nature programmes & Forest School • Letters from projects in Edinburgh & Croydon • Book review: Creating A Forest School – from the roots up! • Outdoor Ed Chat - join the online discussion
"Our main feature this issue is all about hand washing in the outdoors - we're offering loads of tips and solutions to outside hygiene - always important and especially crucial at this time. Other highlights include Professor Jan White introducing the Natural Play Principles, fun with sun prints, and spotlights on projects doing great work outdoors."
Contents
Features The Natural Play Principles from Professor Jan White Hand Washing focus
Activities Sun prints - bunting & cyanotype prints • How to make a foot operated soap dispenser from Richard Irvine • Nature Chatterbox from the National Trust
Contributors Learning Through Landscapes (LtL) - overcoming outdoor learning barriers at Grand-y-Care, Scotland Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) - 5 top tips for learning outside the classroom Forest School Association (FSA) - the Forest School Provider programme Glasgow Clyde College - embedding outdoor play training in Early Childhood courses National Forest - creating a Forest for Learning Thrive Outdoors - supporting Scotland’s children to grow, play & learn outdoors
"Appropriate clothes for play & learning outdoors are crucial for children in Early Years, nurseries, primary schools, Forest School and more – our guide helps you choose, use and maintain outdoor clothing for your setting."
Contents
Features Outdoor Clothing focus The Breeze Project, Newcastle - impacting young people’s wellbeing through Forest School Outdoor case study: Milford Pre School, Hampshire
Activities Fire - how to choose & use a fire steel • Campfire cooking - campfire bread on a stick • Bushcraft knots - clove hitch
Contributors National Association for Environmental Education (NAEE) National Trust - 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ & Ways to Have a Mini Adventure Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust
