Articles
Outdoor Activities to Build Confidence and Skills Beyond the Classroom
In Singapore, outdoor learning is sometimes seen as an extra “nice-to-have.” But research shows that experiential learning helps children focus, boosts memory, and supports healthy emotional growth (Fjørtoft 2001; Kaplan, 1995). Outdoor activities like running, climbing, and balancing build motor skills in ways no classroom can fully replicate (Brussoni et at al., 2015).
At the same time, every child develops differently. What excites a 3-year-old may feel too simple for a 6-year-old. The key is to match activities to each child’s ability so they feel challenged within safe environments. In this article, NIEC Senior Lecturer Ms Nor Jehan Mohamed Salleh shares how educators and parents can balance safety with healthy outdoor activity.
Understanding outdoor learning in the urban Singapore context
Outdoor learning doesn’t require forests or lakes. For children growing up in Singapore’s urban landscape, outdoor learning can happen in everyday spaces — the void deck, a neighbourhood playground, or even a small garden patch.
“Even a void deck or garden patch can be enough to spark curiosity and growth.”
Simple sensory stimuli from sunlight, breeze, or the hum of traffic awakens a child’s senses and offers new opportunities to connect classroom learning with the real world.
The social aspect of outdoor learning
Outdoors, children notice and talk about everything: a bird on the ledge, ants carrying food, a crane at a construction site. These everyday encounters spark conversation, expand vocabulary, and help children reason about the world (Very well Mind, 2023).
Outdoor time also helps children regulate energy and emotions (Engemann, 2022). For those who struggle to sit still indoors, the open air provides a natural outlet, making it easier to focus later. And when children play together outside, they learn to negotiate, take turns, and build empathy.
Managing outdoor learning in Singapore
Our weather can be unpredictable — rain or heat often interrupts outdoor plans. That’s why educators need flexible options, from sheltered void decks to creative indoor alternatives.
Safety is also important. A few simple routines, like setting ground rules and checking for hazards, go a long way in making outdoor play secure (Knight, 2013). Children can also be guided to manage risks themselves, such as by checking if a slide is wet, or noticing sharp edges, which builds awareness and responsibility (Brussoni et al., 2015).
Educators should also be mindful of a child’s ability and when an environment may overwhelm them. For example, a 5 to 6-year old child may be allowed to explore under supervision, while infants and toddlers can simply be allowed to experience sights and sounds of nature from the safety of a stroller.
“With thoughtful planning and creative use of space, everyday community spaces can be transformed into avenues for meaningful outdoor learning.”
Outdoor learning activities to explore
Ant hunt (Identifying objects in nature)
Children crouch down to follow ant trails of non-hazardous species from a safe distance. Educators can prompt them to count how many legs they see or guess what the ants are carrying. These prompts naturally spark conversation. The same idea can be adapted anywhere by encouraging children to notice and describe objects in their surroundings. Research shows that such hands-on exploration helps even quieter children find the confidence to speak up (NAEYC, 2022) .
Learning centres at the void deck
Play can take place at void decks or other sheltered areas, where the larger space allows children to move more freely and play with large blocks, dress-up clothes, and other props. Having more room often sustains their attention for longer and opens up new possibilities for exploration and creativity.
“With proper facilitation, void decks can be transformed into powerful outdoor classrooms.”
“Forest” style free play
Children can use the open space of a park or garden to invent their own games with sticks, leaves, or other natural materials they discover. With a quick safety check to ensure nothing harmful is picked up, this kind of open-ended play gives children the freedom to imagine, create stories, and come up with their own rules. Researchers note that when given room to explore, children often show remarkable creativity and problem-solving skills (Knight, 2013; Engemann, 2022).
How parents can support outdoor learning at home
Incorporate learning into daily routines
Learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms or during school hours. Parents play an important role in weaving learning moments into everyday life. On the commute, for example, children can count bus stops, trace train routes on a map, or simply notice patterns in their surroundings. At home, simple tasks like weighing vegetables or tidying up become opportunities to explore textures, practise problem-solving, and make sense of the world around them.
Encourage controlled risk management
Outdoor play naturally involves some level of risk. Rather than avoiding it altogether, parents can guide children to recognise and navigate their environment. This may include checking if a slide is slippery after rain or spotting sharp edges around a play area. Over time, children learn to share these observations with their peers, strengthening both awareness and social skills.
Social growth through play
Playing with peers is one of the most powerful ways for children to learn. When they negotiate roles, take turns, and follow shared rules, they aren’t just having fun — they’re also practising empathy, cooperation, and problem-solving. Outdoor play offers even more opportunities for this kind of social growth, because the open space gives children freedom to move, interact, and create together. When we see outdoor play in all its variety, parents and educators alike can turn everyday spaces into meaningful opportunities for learning.
Build skills for life with outdoor learning
More than fresh air, outdoor learning is essential for motor skill development, supports social-emotional growth, and nurtures confidence during the critical early years. With the right support, everyday spaces can become powerful settings for learning and discovery.
Educators who want to deepen their practice can explore NIEC’s Outdoor Learning CPD courses for practical and hands-on training that equips you to design meaningful outdoor experiences for children.
NOR JEHAN MOHAMED SALLEH
Ms Jehan is a Senior Lecturer at the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC). With 27 years of experience in early childhood education, she has built extensive expertise in teaching, leadership, curriculum development, training, consultancy, and setting up early childhood centres.
References
Brussoni, M., Gibbons, R., Gray, C., Ishikawa, T., Sandseter, E. B., Bienenstock, A., & Pickett, W. (2015). What is the relationship between risky outdoor play and health in children? A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(6), 6423–6454. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120606423
Engemann, J. (2022). Outdoor learning and its benefits: A review of research. Children, Youthand Environments, 32(2), 23–41. https://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.32.2.0023
ERiC. (2022). Outdoor play and motor development in early childhood. Early Research in Childhood Studies, 18(3), 112–128.
Fjørtoft, I. (2001). The natural environment as a playground for children: The impact of outdoor play activities in pre-primary school children. Early Childhood Education Journal, 29(2), 111–117. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012576913074
Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2
Knight, S. (2013). Forest school and outdoor learning in the early years (2nd ed.). Sage.
NAEYC. (2022). Ideas for exploring the outdoors with young children. National Association for the Education of Young Children. https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/ideas-exploringoutdoors
Verywell Mind. (2023, July 24). Outdoor learning and its benefits for school-aged children. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/outdoor-learning-school-kids-benefitsexpert-advice-6455659
