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142  TOPIC 9 OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
9.2.1 Outdoor Learning and Play Settings
To serve all children with outdoor experiences, the outdoor play area should not be solely based on equipment but should also include activities that provide a wide range of experience and creativity. For instance, the teacher can create non- identical experiences for all children and organise outdoor play similar to indoor play like providing multisensory clues, flexibility and loose parts of toys or materials. Within the outside play area it is useful to identify different spaces that are safe and developmentally appropriate for all age groups of children. The following guidelines will help you to understand outdoor learning and play settings that work best for early childhood learning.
(a) Playground
Playground provides spaces and equipment for running, skipping, jumping, climbing, swinging, sliding and other gross motor activities. It gets children moving and having fun together. A playground is a learning environment and a setting for social interaction where children learn to share, take turns and work together. There are a lot of playground equipment available from manufacturers of playground equipment with products made from plastic, wood, and metal in a range of colours and looks. A playground should be designed for children of varying ages and abilities. Children of different ages have very different physical skills. It is important to ensure that the playground includes graduated levels of risk and challenge for younger and older children. In addition, playground equipment like slide, swing, platform and beam should be designed in such a way that children can exercise their motor skills and interact with one other. They learn how to make use of their muscles, manoeuvre, balance and control their body movements. Play houses and nest-like hut structures made from trees provide opportunities for children to develop their physical, social and language skills. Pathways can also serve as roads where children may use a wagon to pull toys around. It is also a good track for children to ride their bike and scooters. Children enjoy these types of play spaces and the opportunities to play with their peers. Playground is also the place where they learn to take turns, share and work together. It is the setting for social interaction and physical development.
(b) Field
This is an area of open land without trees and building. It consists of some smooth or hard surfacing and is planted with grass. This area of land has a special use for group games, ball games, sports and general running around. A field can be used for sport activities or annual sport event for school children. It provides opportunities for children to experience space
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