Materials Required
- Pop up tent /small camping tent or blankets/sheets
- Chairs
- A large sheet or blanket
- Picnic rug
- Picnic basket
- Kitchen utensils e.g. plates, bowls, spoons, cups
- Cushions
- Optional materials
- Dolls or teddy bears, Story books
Preparation
Gather all materials beforehand and place in the area you want to set up camp – Have a drink bottle of water near by for your child if outdoors – Apply sunscreen and hats if outdoors
Method (or Ideas)
- Explain to your child that you are going on a fun camping trip.
- Encourage your child to help put up the tent or better still – create you own home made tent structure.
- Ask your child if they would like to bring any favourite toys into the camping area.
- Sit in the tent/camping area and read stories and play with your child.
- Encourage your child to explore the natural environment outdoors around the camping area.
Facilitation Tips – What To Say
- Tent
- Camping
- Nature
- Sticks, leaves, rocks, bark and trees
- Birds, animals and insects
Extend the Experience
- Observe insects, birds in your backyard – talk about them and observe differences.
- Go on nature walks and observe your natural environment.
- Read the story “Where going on a bear hunt” and act out the story.
- Sing songs and share stories inside the enclosure
WHO Guidelines for Physical Activity & Sedentary Behaviour
This experience encourages your child to be physically active both indoors and outdoors by exploring the environment and using physical skills to set up the camp.
Early Years Learning Framework
Outcomes
- Children feel safe, secure, and supported
- Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials
Principle
Principle 3: High expectations and equity. Children progress well when they, their parents and educators hold high expectations for their achievement in learning.
Practice
Practice: Learning through play. Play can expand children’s thinking and enhance their desire to know and to learn. In these ways play can promote positive dispositions towards learning. Children’s immersion in their play illustrates how play enables them to simply enjoy being.
