In Early Childhood Education, many modern theories highlight the environment as a ‘third teacher’, recognising how important it is in shaping children’s learning.
As early childhood educators, we play a vital role in using natural materials in early childhood, providing children with opportunities to explore, create and engage their senses, as well as nurture their curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of the natural world around them.
Introducing Natural Materials in Early Learning
The Top 5 Benefits of Playing With Natural Materials
As early childhood educators, we see first-hand how natural environments enrich children’s learning and development. Time spent outdoors with hands-on experiences not only nurtures exploration but also improves a child’s focus and problem-solving abilities.
Here’s how using natural materials in early childhood play nurtures growth and fosters a deeper connection to the world around them.
Fosters Creativity
Using natural materials in early childhood stimulates creativity and imagination by providing children with open-ended play experiences
Stimulates Senses
Children can explore natural materials with all of their senses. Children can smell the scent of a flower, feel the rough texture of a pinecone, observe the intricate patterns on a leaf, or listen to the sound of pebbles clinking together.
Heightens Environmental Awareness
Engaging with natural resources teaches children to care for natural environments and develop respect for living things. Introducing flowers, shells, stones, fabric, baskets, art prints and other materials in the curriculum helps children to learn to appreciate natural beauty.
Grows Imagination and Problem Solving
Natural resources have numerous uses in supporting children’s problem solving, scientific enquiry and numeracy skills. For example, when children build structures, they learn to sort and categorise by size, colour and texture. By stacking and balancing pieces, they solve problems and begin to understand how shapes and spaces fit together.
Encourages Resourcefulness
Photo: the children at Busy Bees at Williams Landing (VIC) use natural resources to explore numeracy
Key Takeaways
Natural materials in childcare creates a rich, play-based learning experience that supports children’s development. Leaves, sticks, stones, sand and water are natural materials for children’s play that encourage creativity, imagination and open-ended exploration. They stimulate the senses as children experiment, build and discover. The benefits of using natural materials in early childhood also include improved environmental awareness and resourcefulness. When thoughtfully included in early learning environments, natural materials for children’s play provide meaningful opportunities for hands-on discovery that support confident, curious learners.
Nurturing Discovery and Creativity with Nature Play at Busy Bees
At Busy Bees, our services provide many opportunities for children to engage in loose parts play with natural resources. Our educators create inclusive and engaging natural learning environments, both indoors and outdoors, that inspire children to explore, create, play together and ignite their imaginations and sense of discovery.
We do this in a number of ways, including:
- Using natural materials in early childhood play
- Loose parts play
- Engaging in natural environments
- Access to natural and living things
- Caring for animals within the service
- Bush Kinder programs
Want to know how your nearest Busy Bees centre supports children’s use of natural materials in childcare? Speak to your Service Manager or contact us directly to find out.
