7 November 2024

At Scallywags, we are passionate about creating meaningful outdoor experiences for every child, including our youngest ones – our under 2s. There’s a common misconception that babies and toddlers are “too young” for outdoor learning, especially in unpredictable weather. But here, we believe in the power of nature to nurture, inspire, and enhance the development of all children, regardless of age. With forest school principles and the Hygge approach at the heart of our practice, we’re committed to embracing the outdoors every single day, no matter the weather.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀

Forest school is often associated with older children who can navigate woodland trails, engage in tools-based activities, and explore on their own. However, at Scallywags, we’ve found that even the youngest children thrive in nature. Our forest school sessions are thoughtfully tailored to the developmental needs of under 2s, focusing on sensory-rich experiences, gentle exploration, and risk awareness in a safe environment.

For our youngest learners, forest school is less about structured activities and more about providing them with the freedom to experience the world around them. They touch leaves, feel the texture of bark, listen to the sounds of birds, and watch as leaves float down in the wind. We gently encourage them to explore, taking those first steps into the natural world with confidence.

𝗛𝘆𝗴𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀: 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁

A Scandinavian approach to comfort and well-being, Hygge has become an integral part of our practice at Scallywags. We bring the warmth and cosiness of Hygge outdoors, creating snug, inviting spaces where even our youngest children feel at ease and secure. Imagine a tiny nook nestled under a canopy of branches, filled with soft blankets, twinkly lights, and picture books – it’s a magical haven for story time in the fresh air. Our treasure baskets are filled with natural objects like pinecones, feathers, and smooth stones, giving our babies and toddlers a gentle, tactile way to explore their world.

For our small world play, we bring the indoors outside, setting up farms, barns, and animal figures among leaves and sticks. It’s a world of wonder where children can explore animals, nature, and storytelling, all in the comfort of a cosy outdoor setting. And when the rain comes, we don’t retreat – instead, we make sure every child has their waterproofs and wellies, embracing the joy of puddle jumping, splashing, and feeling the raindrops.

𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀

Our youngest learners experience the world primarily through their senses, so nature offers endless possibilities for exploration. We enhance their sensory experiences by providing natural treasure baskets filled with items that stimulate curiosity and discovery. These baskets invite little ones to touch, smell, and even listen to the sounds of nature. Through these interactions, children develop fine motor skills, cognitive understanding, and sensory awareness in a rich, hands-on way.

𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲

Song and story time are essential parts of our day, and we make sure to take these routines outdoors as well. There’s something truly special about singing songs under the open sky or reading a book with the rustling leaves as background music. Outdoors, stories and songs take on a new dimension. A story about animals becomes more vivid as children hear birds chirping or see insects buzzing nearby. Songs are accompanied by hand gestures, clapping, and foot-stamping, connecting music and movement with nature in a joyful and engaging way.

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

For many, taking young children outdoors can feel daunting due to various barriers – but with some creativity, these can be overcome.

• 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 –Rain, wind, or chilly temperatures can be a deterrent, but we believe there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. We ensure our children are dressed in waterproofs, warm layers, and sturdy footwear. This way, they stay comfortable and safe, and we can embrace each season’s unique offerings – from puddle jumping to exploring frost-covered leaves.
• 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 – It’s essential to invest in suitable outdoor clothing for children, especially under 2s. By layering up and using breathable, weatherproof materials, we make sure the children are cosy, comfortable, and ready to explore no matter the conditions. We keep spares on hand for unexpected changes, so no one misses out on the fun due to a little mud or rain!
• 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 – – Not everyone has access to a nearby forest, woodland, or park. At Scallywags, we create our own green spaces when needed, bringing elements of nature directly to our outdoor play area. Logs, branches, leaves, and potted plants help transform any space into a mini woodland. Even if we aren’t deep in the forest, we can create a sensory-rich, nature-inspired environment that encourages exploration.
• 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 – Getting a group of young children to an offsite location can be challenging, but we’ve found creative ways to make it work. For shorter journeys to nearby green spaces, we use sturdy buggies, safety wrist-strap walking ropes for our older toddlers, and a trolley to carry resources, snacks, and extra outdoor equipment. This setup allows us to move safely and efficiently, making it easier to bring the forest school experience to children even if our closest natural space isn’t right on our doorstep.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝘀

Our approach at Scallywags is rooted in the understanding that outdoor learning offers profound benefits to young children. By spending time outside, even in unpredictable weather, our under 2s build resilience, confidence, and independence. They learn to adapt to changing conditions, become aware of their surroundings, and develop a connection to nature that enhances their physical and emotional well-being.

The Hygge-inspired environment we create also supports emotional regulation, allowing children to feel safe and secure in the outdoors. They learn to take small, managed risks, building strength and coordination as they balance on logs or reach for objects just out of arm’s reach. In turn, these early outdoor experiences lay the foundation for a lifelong love of nature, curiosity, and confidence.

𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲

At Scallywags, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to connect with nature from an early age. By breaking down the barriers to outdoor learning for under 2s, we’re providing experiences that will shape their growth, development, and happiness in the years to come. Come rain or shine, we’re out there – singing, reading, exploring, and discovering the wonders of the world around us.

Blog written by Demi Eastment