Toddlers thrive outdoors. They’ve just learned to walk and the outdoors for them is filled with new things to discover every day. Their curiosity about the world around them is endless. From the tiniest stone or the smallest hole to the excitement of a hill or the force of the wind, toddlers need the variety and stimulation that’s found outdoors. Outdoors they are enthusiastic learners, constantly investigating and experimenting with their world.
In this film we follow six children as they explore their outdoor world as we closely observe what things interest them most and why. We explore how the outdoors perfectly supports their physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. Throughout each of the toddlers adventure we examine the importance for a ‘safe base’ from which the young can explore secure in the thought that a trusted adult is always close by to offer reassurance and support.
Made in collaboration with with Jan White an early years outdoors specialist, we present all current research and theories on outdoor play in a straightforward, easy to understand way. The comprehensive accompanying notes, written by Jan White, help link the developmental theory with practice, expanding on information given in the film and include lots of prompts for developing practice.
