WINNER OF THE 2018 NURSERY WORLD STAFF RESOURCES AWARD There is a growing realisation that children in the Early Years benefit from being involved in wild spaces. They need dynamic and complex outdoor environments and opportunities for risk and challenge, to play with abandon, have first-hand experiences – places where there is adventure, delight, daring and joy! In this exciting book, outdoor education guru Niki Buchan offers ideas for natural learning in the Early Years. She provides a background to forest school and its relevance to Early Years settings, outlines the challenges and benefits of free play and a risk-taking disposition in children, and uses case studies from educators to explore the concept of nature-based practice. A Practical Guide to Nature-Based Practice presents ideas for outdoor learning that can be used all year round, whatever the season. This full-colour book will help adults and children alike to reconnect with their local environment making it a must-have for any Early Years setting!

This book takes a practical approach to taking children aged 2 to 8 years into the outdoors, describing and exemplifying rich environments in which children will be nurtured and challenged. There is a growing realisation that children benefit by being involved in wild spaces. They need dynamic and complex outdoor environments and opportunities for risk and challenge, to play with abandon, to have first-hand experiences, places where there is adventure, delight, laughter, daring and joy.