Outdoor Play Category | Little Acorns Nursery School, Hindley Green

Let's Go on a Spring Nature Hunt – With Free Reference Poster!

Activities for Children, Learning & Development, Nature Activities, Outdoor Play, Scavenger Hunt

Let’s Go on a Spring Nature Hunt – With a Free Reference Poster!

With signs of spring now all around us, it’s the perfect time to release our free ‘Spring Nature Hunt’ activity poster for children. We’ve highlighted 20 beautiful and fascinating things that children can look out for when outdoors during this wonderful season. The activity is a great excuse for children to get outside, open their eyes, and see some of the wonders that this season brings. When they take time to actively look, they can spot beautiful flowers like crocuses, snowdrops and daffodils blooming. Fascinating pussy willow buds and dangling catkins can be seen on country walks. Wonderful butterflies and bumblebees have started to arrive in gardens again, having been absent over the winter. Now spring is finally here, birds like house martins and swifts will also start to return to the UK skies — children will be able to watch them soaring through the air up high. Down on the ground, beautiful animals like lambs and baby rabbits are also sure to delight little ones during a nature walk. These are just a few examples of some of the natural things you can challenge children to look out for in spring and our free poster will be an excellent visual reference. So, why not download the free poster today, print it out for your children, and get closer to nature as a family? This nature-based activity is fun, educational, and really good for both children and adults — such is the power of the natural world!

Download Your Free Spring Nature Hunt Poster

Our free Spring Nature Hunt poster is downloadable below — simply click the preview image to either view or download (whether you left- or right-click will depend on your particular browser settings). Once downloaded and viewed in Acrobat Reader, the reference poster can be printed as large as A3 or as small as A4, A5, or A6 depending on your printer’s paper size. We suggest selecting the highest-quality settings and paper for the best results.

How Many Can Your Child Spot?

We’ve included little tick boxes, so family members can tick off each natural wonder as it’s spotted. Some, like bees, butterflies and daffodils, will be easier to spot than others. So, children get extra kudos if they spot a frog or frogspawn! For an extra element of fun, perhaps offer a prize, badge or sticker to the child who successfully spots and ticks off the most items on the nature hunt list.

Nature Activities are Hugely Beneficial to Children

Not only is today’s activity fun and educational, but spending time in and around nature is hugely beneficial to children — and adults! Study after study has found that it enhances cognitive function, bolsters sensory and motor skills, boosts creativity, and improves overall well-being. It’s a stress-buster. It leads to better awareness of environmental issues. Spending time close to nature even directly improves educational grades! Just a simple view of green outdoor spaces can do this — so it’s easy to see why nature is incredible and immensely important for children. These are just a few examples, so head over to our post about the importance of nature in early childhood here to learn more.

Get More Free Nature Activity Posters Here!

Download more of our free nature activity posters!

If you’d like to further encourage your child’s interest in nature and the outdoors, download additional free nature-based posters — available right here on this website. As well as today’s Spring Nature Hunt poster, we have one for a Winter Nature Hunt, an Autumn Nature Hunt poster, and others that introduce children to British butterflies, wild land mammals, birds, and minibeasts. Children love looking out for nature’s flora and fauna and the posters also make for attractive and educational displays on bedroom walls.

Nature at Little Acorns Nursery, Hindley Green, Wigan

Children love spending time outdoors in nature, so we give them ample opportunities to do so at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green, Wigan. Our extensive grounds include wild areas, nature zones, and lots of outdoor spaces and facilities. There, children under five can explore, discover, and learn about the natural world in a safe environment overseen by our childcare professionals. They can then reap all the benefits that nature and outdoor play have to offer — and there are many! It’s just one of the many benefits of sending your baby, toddler, or child under five to Little Acorns Nursery. It’s a lovely home-from-home environment where every child is valued, nurtured, and encouraged to be the best version of themselves in every area of their learning and development.

If you would like to explore the opportunity of sending your child to Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green, get in touch today. We’d love to meet you and your child, show you around, and answer any questions.

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01942 259 870

Little Acorns Nursery is a high-quality childcare setting for children under five in Hindley Green, near Wigan. Our location may also suit families living nearby in towns and villages including Leigh, Atherton, Westhoughton, Ince-in-Makerfield, Platt Bridge, Bickershaw, Tyldesley, and Bolton.

Safety First!

Remember that children, particularly the youngest, will need to be supervised and accompanied when out in nature or on walks. There are many dangers out there and we’ll follow up with a separate post offering tips on child safety outdoors in due course.

26th March 2025/by Mark

Activities for Children, Children, Free Stuff, Learning & Development, Nature, Nature Activities, Outdoor Play, Preschoolers, Scavenger Hunt, Under-5s

Winter Treasure Hunt Activity (With Free Reference Poster)

Today’s Winter Treasure Hunt activity is a great antidote to the cold temperatures and shorter days that families experience during this season. So long as the weather is not dangerous or insanely cold, families can still enjoy the outdoors if they are dressed appropriately and children are adequately supervised. Even in winter, there is still so much for children to discover in The Great Outdoors! What’s more, spending time in and around nature is generally very good for both children and adults (more about that later). With all that in mind, we’ve put together a free reference poster that families can download and use as the basis for an exciting Winter Treasure Hunt. There are all manner of magical things for children to search for and discover in the winter months — from leaf skeletons, pine cones, and frosted spider webs, to animal tracks, icicles and miraculously unique snowflakes. So, take a look and download a free reference poster for your child today — and check out others in the same series.

Poster Preview:

Click the poster preview image to either view or download it in high resolution (Acrobat PDF format). It can be printed out as large as A3 or as small as A4 or A5 if preferred. Perhaps print out a copy for children to take with them when they embark on their winter treasure hunt. Families can use the little tick boxes to keep track of each treasure discovered.

When the time is right, this activity should encourage children to get outdoors* to see some of the magical things that nature provides during the winter. Nature lifts the spirits, helps children and families get exercise, gives children a sense of freedom and adventure, and also has a whole host of other incredible benefits. So, this is a wonderfully worthwhile activity for children to take part in.

Little Acorns Nursery, Hindley Green, Wigan

Little Acorns is a superb childcare nursery in Hindley Green, near Wigan. Children here also get to enjoy nature and outdoor play as we have extensive grounds, nature zones, wild areas, and many other high-quality facilities. And, of course, our facilities and resources indoors give them a rich environment where they can play, discover and learn, all at their own pace. It’s a wonderful home-from-home environment where children under five have fun, thrive in their learning and development, and feel valued. All in all, we give children the very best start in life and ensure they become well-rounded and school-ready by the time they leave us to begin school.

Get in touch today to enquire about a possible nursery/preschool place for your baby, toddler, or child under five. We’d love to show you and your little one around and answer any questions:

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01942 259 870

Little Acorns Nursery is located in Hindley Green, near Wigan, Greater Manchester. Families in Bickershaw, Leigh, Atherton, Westhoughton, Ince-in-Makerfield, Platt Bridge, Tyldesley, and Bolton will also find that it’s conveniently close for their childcare needs.

*Safety Notice

^{Children, particularly the young, will need to be closely supervised and stay vigilant to potential danger when venturing outdoors. Ensure children take care not to slip on mud, snow, or ice. Teach them how to avoid hurting themselves, for example when stumbling on uneven ground or catching themselves on sharp things like thorns, brambles, and rocks. Water sources like ponds and lakes are particularly dangerous — especially so when iced over — and children need to take extra care near traffic. And, of course, they need to be aware of possible stranger danger. These are just a few examples and parents/supervising adults will need to do their own risk assessments and stay vigilant at all times when accompanying children outdoors.}

31st January 2025/by Mark

Activities for Children, Birds, Early Years Education, Learning & Development, Nature, Outdoor Play, Parenting

A Big Garden Birdwatch for Little People: 24-26 January 2025

Families, set your diaries for the wildlife event of the year, which happens this January from Friday the 24th to Sunday the 26th inclusive. It’s free, takes just one hour, and allows children and adults to be part of the world’s biggest garden wildlife survey. During the event, families and individuals across the nation simply count the birds they spot in the garden, park, local green space, or even balcony over the course of 60 minutes. The results of hundreds of thousands of these surveys are compiled by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to build a picture of the health of the nation’s bird populations. It’s important scientific and ecological work and children can become citizen scientists if they simply take part. Learn more about the Big Garden Birdwatch and how to take part in today’s guide for families with children.

“With birds facing so many challenges, it’s more important than ever to get involved in the Birdwatch.” — RSPB.

The Purpose of the Big Garden Birdwatch

Nature is in trouble (more info). Threats include disease, pollution, climate change, habitat loss, incompatible farming methods, and the use of harmful chemicals in gardening and agriculture. Such issues adversely affect nature, leading to declines in the health of the flora and fauna of Britain. Insects including important pollinators like bees and butterflies are in decline because of this, as are many of Britain’s bird populations. And, if nature is in trouble, so are we. That’s because we depend on nature in so many ways, not least in relation to the growing of crops for food.

“House Sparrows took the top spot, but counts of these chirpy birds are down by 60% compared to the first Birdwatch in 1979.” — RSPB.

With all this in mind, the RSPB has organised an annual citizen survey, which has taken place every January since 1979. By gathering and analysing results from the survey each year, trends can be identified in bird populations, including in specific species which might be in trouble. Through such information gathering and analysis, it’s possible to see whether things are improving or declining. Only then is it possible to know what steps are needed to help any species in danger.

“We’ve lost 38 million birds from UK skies in the last 60 years.” — RSPB.

The Birdwatch is Worthwhile & Enriching for Children

Children will love being involved in this important nature-based activity. They’ll not only play their part in helping birds and nature, but they’ll also have fun and learn something along the way. They will discover some of the many wonderful feathered visitors who live in their neighbourhood and learn about some of the important issues affecting the natural world. They’ll begin to grasp the impact of humans on Britain’s flora and fauna and learn the importance of conservation and looking after the natural world around them. Through this endeavour, they’ll learn how they can make a positive difference. They will also become little citizen scientists! It’s fun, educational, and will give them a wonderful sense of achievement too. It may even change their outlook over the long term and help them think about their own impact on the planet, which is a wonderful outcome. And last but not least, spending time in and around nature is hugely beneficial to children.

Get Involved!

Families, children and individuals across the nation can play their part in this important annual survey. Apart from a little bit of time, it costs nothing to take part. The RSPB supplies free, downloadable, identification reference for the bird species that they’d like monitored, along with simple instructions.

How to Take Part in the Big Garden Birdwatch

Step 1: Register & Get the Free Guide

Registration for the January 2025 event is now* open. So, why not join the thousands of other families across Britain who have already registered and get ready for this truly worthwhile event? Sign up to register here. You’ll then be able to download your free Birdwatch guide. Downloadable and printed versions are available and you/your children can use these to identify birds in Step 4. Registering also gives you access to a discount in the RSPB shop, by the way, which may be useful if you want to buy things like birdseed to attract as many birds to your chosen patch as possible.

^{*(Time of writing: late Dec 2024).}

Step 2: Decide on a Time & Date

Decide which hour your children or family will monitor birds. It needs to be some time during the period from Friday 24 and Sunday 26 January 2025 inclusive. You can do more than one survey if you like, but must choose a different location and hour for each separate one.

Step 3: Choose a Location

Decide where you will monitor and count wild birds. This could be your garden, local park or open space, or simply viewing from somewhere like a balcony.

Step 4: Count Birds

Record the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time. Once the chosen time and date arrive, all you/your children need to do is monitor birds landing on your chosen patch. Count those that actually land rather than any flying otherwise there’s a danger that one bird could be counted multiple times. What you need to record for the survey, though, is the largest number of each bird species that have landed at any one time during the hour. So, for example, if you spot two blackbirds that have landed at the same time in the first half hour, but later in the hour you can see 4 that have landed at the same time, then you need to record “4” for blackbirds.

“Record the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time.” — RSPB.

Submit your survey results even if you see no birds during your hour — such data is just as important as a positive result as it could indicate a problem in the bird population in your area.

Step 5: Submit Your Results

Once you have recorded your findings, submit them to the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch online by 23 February. That link may not allow submissions until the event has actually started, so you won’t be able to submit your bird survey early. Alternatively, you can submit via post so that it arrives no later than 18 February. The postal address is shown on the free guide that you downloaded or requested in Step 1 above.

You can submit more than one survey, so long as you choose a different location each time.
Submitting results online gives you a much longer list of birds than space allows on the paper/post version.
However, you can also include additional birds you see in the free text box if using the paper form.

“Every bird you do – or don’t – count will give us a valuable insight into how garden birds are faring.” — RSPB.

Children Love Nature at Little Acorns Nursery, Hindley Green

If you/your child enjoyed this activity, also check out our own free nature guides for little ones. We have a children’s ID guide for birds, one for butterflies, one for mammals and another for minibeasts. Children love looking out for these wonderful creatures and learn so much from nature-based activities. That’s why, at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green, we also have large grounds, nature zones, and wild areas for children to play in. There, they can explore, discover and learn from the natural world and better understand their place within it. It’s just one part of the comprehensive early years education that’s on offer at this wonderful nursery and preschool near Wigan and Bolton, Greater Manchester.

High-Quality Weekday Childcare for Children Under Five, near Wigan

Why not come and see this unique childcare setting for yourself? Bring your baby, toddler, or under-five child with you and see how they’re suited. We’d love to show you around and answer any questions you may have and, if you think we’re a good fit, we’d love to enrol your child for a nursery place. Please choose an option below to start exploring the wonderful possibilities for your child at Little Acorns Nursery:

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01942 259 870

31st December 2024/by Mark

Active Play, Activities for Children, Children, Early Years Education, Free Stuff, Learning & Development, Nature, Outdoor Play, Preschoolers, Under-5s

Let’s Go on an Autumn Nature Hunt! (With Free Reference Sheet)

Autumn is a beautiful season and one of the most magical times of the year. It is particularly fascinating for young children as they witness the wondrous changes that take place in nature. From the crisp, clean air and trees turning a myriad of colours, to leaves falling like leafy snowflakes, and nature providing an array of seeds, nuts and food for wildlife, it’s remarkable. At such a time, children can enjoy a wide variety of fun and educational activities out in the Great Outdoors. Such activities will demonstrate just how incredible Autumn and nature are and what a fascinating bounty of magical things they provide. There is so much to see and discover and all children need to do is get outside with family and friends and explore. With that in mind, we’ve put together a reference sheet that highlights 20 of Autumn’s treasures for children to look out for and collect, under adult supervision, at this time of year.

Download a Free Autumn Reference Sheet for Your Child

Click the preview image to download the Autumn Nature Hunt reference sheet in high resolution. Try printing it out using your best paper and printer settings for the optimum results, or view it on a tablet or smartphone to take with you and your child when you’re out and about. They’ll be able to use the reference to see which autumnal treasures they can find and then tick off from the sheet. It also makes a great poster, suiting prints up to A3 in size.

Nature Teaches Children So Much

Finding natural autumn treasures is a great opportunity for children to appreciate the magic and beauty of nature, understand the seasons, and learn about the circle of life. Parents or accompanying adults can explain how seeds and nuts grow into plants and trees or even encourage little ones to plant them in pots to grow at home. Demonstrate how seeds from trees like sycamores can fly on the breeze like helicopters and spread the tree population to wider areas — children will love that! Explain how some of the season’s treasures provide a bounty of food that wild animals and birds can eat or even store for the winter. Children will find such conversations and insights fascinating. Spending time in and around nature is hugely beneficial to children. It will also help little ones better understand the world — and their place within it. Such conversations are also a wonderful starting point for children to explore further as, like the seeds, they grow and flourish.

“Let nature be your teacher.” — William Wordsworth.

^{More inspirational quotes about nature and childhood can be found here.}

A Series of Free Nature Posters for Children

A series of free nature activity posters for children

Today’s Autumn Nature Hunt poster is just one in our series of free nature-based posters and information sheets for children. You can also download a Mammals poster, a Minibeasts poster, a Birds poster, and a Butterflies poster. Simply click the bold green links to learn more.

Little Acorns Nursery, Hindley Green, Wigan

Consider a Place for Your Child at our Hindley Green Nursery and Preschool, near Wigan

Staff and children love nature at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green, near Wigan. With our extensive grounds, nature-themed zones, wild areas, and high-quality facilities, children get to play, discover and learn in a rich environment. It’s a wonderful place where babies and under-fives have fun, thrive and flourish. Rest assured, too, that our early years practitioners do everything they can to help each child become the very best version of themselves in readiness for the start of their school life.

If you have a baby, toddler, or child under five and live in the Hindley Green or Wigan area, why not come for a guided visit with your child? We’ll show you around and you’ll see, first-hand, what a lovely home-from-home childcare setting it is — and how well your child will fit in. And, once you’re ready, we’d love you to register for a place so that we can welcome you to the Little Acorns family. Choose a button to get started:

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01942 259 870

Little Acorns is a high-quality nursery and preschool in Hindley Green. As such, we are also conveniently close to families in nearby towns and villages including Bickershaw, Leigh, Atherton, Westhoughton, Ince-in-Makerfield, Platt Bridge, Tyldesley, and Bolton, Greater Manchester.

31st October 2024/by Mark

Activities for Children, Animals, Children, Early Years Education, Free Stuff, Learning & Development, Nature, Outdoor Play, Preschoolers, Under-5s

Discover British Mammals – A Fun Nature Activity for Children

Today, we’re publishing a lovely new poster in our wildlife series for children and their families to download. This one features 20 beautiful British wild mammals that little ones can learn to recognise, name, and look out for. It’s important to encourage little ones to have an interest in nature because nature is incredibly good for children, especially in the early years. That’s just one of the reasons we regularly publish free wildlife and nature-themed posters for families. Once printed out, children can display our posters on bedroom walls or perhaps print out smaller to take with them when they walk or play in natural spaces. With that in mind, take a look at the preview below, click to download it, and print it out for your child today. This British Mammals poster is a simple, fun, and educational way to get children interested in nature-based activities outdoors.

“The best education does not happen at a desk, but rather engaged in everyday living – hands on, exploring, in active relationship with life.” — Vince Gowmon

(Find more inspirational nature quotes for children here).

British Land Mammals Poster – Preview

Click the poster preview to view or download it in high-resolution Acrobat PDF format. (You probably already have it but, if not, Acrobat Reader is available free here. Whether you left- or right-click the preview image to view or download the poster depends on your individual web browser set-up). Once downloaded, the poster can be printed as large as A3 in high resolution, or reduced to A4 or A5 if preferred. Tip: choose your printer’s highest-quality settings and paper for the best results.

As you can see from the preview image, some of the featured animals are fairly common, such as grey squirrels, wild rabbits, and foxes. Others, however, are less commonly seen — although that makes it all the more exciting when they are finally spotted! Only last week, in fact, a close family member excitedly sent through a photo of a lovely red squirrel that they saw on holiday while on the Isle of Wight. It’s wonderful that such creatures, whose populations have declined, can still be seen in some areas of Britain. Anyway, though, whether it’s a tiny dormouse or a magnificent red deer, Britain’s land mammals are, without doubt, adorable and something that many children will love.

Little Acorns Nursery:

Our First-Class Childcare Setting in Hindley Green, Near Wigan, Greater Manchester

Learning from nature comes naturally at Little Acorns, a first-class nursery in Hindley Green, near Wigan. With its extensive grounds, outdoor nature zones, and wild areas, it’s the perfect childcare setting for children to enjoy some fresh air and freedom (under supervision, of course) as well as benefit from everything else that such a good nursery has to offer. At Little Acorns, our childcare practitioners do everything they can to nurture children’s learning and development, knowledge, and skills so as to bring out the best in them. This sets them up to absolutely thrive as individuals and in readiness for school.

Explore the possibility of a childcare place for your child at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green, near Wigan, today. We’ll be delighted to show you and your little one around, answer any questions, or simply register them for a place. Click a button to get started:

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01942 259 870

The nursery is located in Hindley Green but may also suit families in nearby towns and villages including Bickershaw, Leigh, Atherton, Westhoughton, Ince-in-Makerfield, Platt Bridge, Tyldesley, Bolton and, of course, the Greater Manchester region.

30th August 2024/by Mark

Activities for Children, Children, Early Years Education, Learning & Development, Nature, Outdoor Play, Preschoolers, Quotes, Toddlers, Under-5s

Inspirational Quotes about Nature in Childhood

While writing a recent post relating to the benefits of nature in childhood, we came across some profound quotations about the topic. Inspired and, at times, touched by some of these, we decided to gather some of our favourites together for today’s post. We therefore share with you today Inspirational Quotes About Nature in Childhood. We hope you, too, are inspired by them — perhaps enough that you encourage your little one(s) to spend even more time with you outdoors, closer to nature. It’s incredibly good for them. Take a look, bookmark the page, and perhaps even save the quote images to print and display at home.

TIP: Click Ctrl+D on your keyboard to bookmark this post

Some of the quotations are touching, aren’t they? Clearly, many of the great poets, scientists, educators, academics, and scholars recognised the hugely positive impact that nature has on children — and indeed people of all ages. And, as we head towards summer at the time of writing, the weather should soon allow families to spend more time outdoors, so they can reap the many important benefits that nature and outdoor play have to offer. Perhaps start by downloading our free posters for a bird spotting activity, a minibeast activity, or a butterfly spotting session. Children will love to see what (or rather who) they can find in the natural world!

We hope you enjoyed and were inspired by today’s batch of quotations. We’ll publish more quotes relating to childhood in due course, so perhaps click Ctrl+D on your keyboard to bookmark this post or our blog area.

Don’t Miss:

Also, check out our post on Funny Quotes About Parenthood!

Nature Education at Little Acorns Nursery, Hindley Green

Children at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green are very fortunate to have access, when appropriate, to extensive grounds. These are subdivided into several zones, which include nature and wild areas as well as sensory zones, sand and water play and much, much more. The gardens and outdoor play zones are places where children can explore, discover, and learn in a highly stimulating environment, all under the safe supervision of our nursery practitioners.

Weekday Nursery & Preschool Places Near Wigan

If you would like to explore a possible childcare place in an exceptional Hindley Green nursery near Wigan, please get in touch using one of the options below. We support various Government-funded childcare schemes too, meaning free childcare hours are available for eligible families. Please choose an option to get started:

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01942 259 870

Little Acorns is a high-quality nursery & preschool in Hindley Green, near Wigan. As such, we may also suit families that require childcare services near Bickershaw, Leigh, Atherton, Westhoughton, Ince-in-Makerfield, Platt Bridge, Tyldesley, Bolton and Greater Manchester.

30th April 2024/by Mark

Discover Minibeasts – A Fun Nature Activity for Children

Today’s ‘Discover Minibeasts’ post is the third in our series of nature-based activities for children. And, as with the bird spotting and the butterfly spotting activities, this one also comes with a free A3 poster for families to download. Children will be able to use the poster to identify the 30 different species of minibeast that are featured. From ants and aphids to weevils, woodlice and worms, there are some fascinating critters for children to look out for.

Did you know? There are about 25,000 different types of minibeast in the UK!

Minibeast spotting is a great activity that will help to nurture children’s interest in outdoor play and nature — and that’s important. Study after study shows that spending time in nature is hugely beneficial to children of all ages. As well as helping children physically, emotionally and spiritually, nature and outdoor play help them learn new skills and can even improve grades (follow that last bold link for more details). What’s more, it can lead to a life-long love and appreciation of nature and The Great Outdoors, as well as encouraging children to learn about ecological issues like global warming, habitat loss and the need to protect the natural world. Such is the potential power of today’s humble minibeast-spotting activity! With that in mind, why not download our free poster today? It’s completely free and no sign-up of any kind is needed.

Preview of the Free Minibeasts Poster:

How to Download the Poster

Simply click the large poster preview image or this link to view/download the high-resolution version (whether you left-click or right-click to download will depend upon your particular browser settings — try both if you’re unsure). The file is less than 3MB in size. You will need Acrobat Reader on your device, which is available free of charge here. When printing out, we recommend using full colour and high-quality settings and paper for the best results. You/your child can alternatively view the poster on screen, e.g. on an iPad or tablet, which will allow you/your child to zoom in for the highest detail.

Given that minibeasts are mostly found outdoors, it’s important for children, especially the very young, to be supervised, for safety purposes. There are many potential dangers outside, so parents or caregivers will need to be vigilant around these when supervising little ones.

Tips for Spotting Minibeasts

Once children are armed with handheld versions of their minibeast posters, they’ll need to work out where best to spot them. The good news is that minibeasts are almost everywhere there are plants, trees and soil. Children can look for the more visible minibeasts like bees, butterflies, caterpillars, moths, ladybirds, aphids and hoverflies simply by looking for flowers and plants, which are a food source for such critters. Other minibeasts like grubs and earthworms may be found within soil and compost, so a little (gentle) digging around may prove fruitful for them — but care will need to be taken not to harm the little creatures. Meanwhile, the best places to find creatures like beetles, woodlice, millipedes and centipedes are generally going to be under things. For example, they may have their homes under piles of leaves, under flower pots, under rotting logs and — the best place of all for minibeasts — in the compost heap!

Be Gentle — Encourage Empathy

When supervising children for this minibeast-spotting activity — or any other involving animals and insects — please be sure to teach children about gentleness and empathy. Minibeasts are small and fragile creatures, so ideally should be looked at but not touched or disturbed. Teach children that each is an individual, with its own life, needs and feelings. Minibeasts will also not want to be taken from their homes, wherever those may be. So, please do encourage children to be gentle and kind, just like they’d like to be treated themselves if it were the other way around. Thank you.

Is your toddler frightened of insects like spiders? If so, try naming them, for example, “Simon the Spider”. In this way, children will begin to associate each as an individual, rather than just a scary and nameless critter. This approach can really help!

Discover Minibeasts!

All in all, minibeast spotting is a fun and fascinating activity for children to take part in and is perfect for the spring, summer and autumn seasons. As well as being fun, educational and worthwhile it also raises children’s interest in ecological matters. For example, it may lead children to realise the need to nurture the natural world, the problems associated with harmful pesticides and weedkillers, and the need to leave natural, undisturbed areas for wildlife to flourish. Children will eventually become the stewards of our beloved Planet Earth, so educating them early about looking after the planet is crucial for the existence not only of the flora and fauna, but also for mankind itself.

A Focus on Nature at Little Acorns Nursery, Hindley Green

The childcare professionals at Little Acorns Nursery know full well how important nature is to children as part of their early years learning and development. That’s why we’re adopting the ‘Hygge’ lifestyle at the setting. We ensure children get ample access to outdoor spaces to play, explore and learn in whenever possible. Even indoors, children get access to natural materials and resources.

Do you have a child under five and live in the Hindley Green area, near Wigan, or in a nearby location like Bickershaw, Leigh, Atherton, Westhoughton, Ince-in-Makerfield, Platt Bridge, Tyldesley, or Bolton? If so, Little Acorns Nursery offers a first-class early years education and weekday childcare service that’ll give your little one the very best start in life. We’ll nurture them and do everything we can to help them develop into the very best version of themselves so that they’re fully prepared and ready for school by the time they leave us as they approach the age of five. What’s more, we support Government funding including free childcare schemes for eligible families. Get in touch today to register your child for a nursery/preschool place, book a guided tour of the nursery or ask a question. We’re here to help!

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01942 259 870

31st August 2023/by Mark

Activities for Children, Birds, Children, Early Years Education, Free Stuff, Hindley Green, Learning & Development, Nature, Nurseries, Nursery, Outdoor Play, Pre-School, Pre-Schools, Preschoolers, Preschools, Toddlers, Under-5s

Discover British Birds – A Fun Nature Activity for Children

Today, in a follow-up to the butterfly-spotting activity that we published in May, we bring you a matching bird-spotting activity for children to take part in. The activity will help to nurture children’s interest in birds and nature, which is beneficial to children in a myriad of different ways. It’ll also encourage them to recharge in the fresh air, outdoors, and escape from electronic screens and toys for a while. Outdoor play is important for little ones and many studies have backed this up.

Free Bird Poster

Like before, today’s article comes with a free reference poster for families to download and print out. The poster features 40 different species of bird that can be found in Britain. Most are fairly common, with just a handful that are more shy or seen more rarely. Children, including those under five, can display the A3 poster on their bedroom or nursery wall, or print it out as a smaller hand-out to use as reference when they’re outdoors. The visual reference will allow children to see how many different birds they can spot over the course of a year, we suggest. Supervising adults can help them to learn the bird names too, as we appreciate the youngest may not yet be able to read the names unaided. Take a look at the poster preview below and download it for your child today.

Preview of the Free Bird Poster:

Download Instructions

Depending on your settings, you can usually left- or right-click the image above (or this link) to either open it on screen or save it to your device. Once opened in Acrobat Reader ^∞, your child will also be able to view the images large, by zooming in, to get all the fine detail. If printing out, we recommend using high-quality printing paper and the finest colour settings for best results. Print at A3 to use as a poster or A4 to use as hand-outs for your children to take outdoors.

Tips for Spotting Birds

As well as being a fun, nature-based activity, bird spotting can teach children valuable skills like patience, stealth, observation, perseverance, critical thinking and empathy to name just a few. With that in mind, here are some tips that may help children to see more types of birds when taking part in this activity.

Try different locations and a variety of natural environments, including at different times of the year (spring to autumn). Your child will see different types of birds by using this approach. Please note, however, that we have not included waterfowl in our poster, although may keep that option up our sleeves for a future poster/activity.
Teach children to keep movements and sound minimal when they’re waiting for birds to come to a particular spot, so the birds are not frightened away.
If moving, for example through a forest, moving quietly and stealthily will ensure that children will see more types of birds. Care even over each footstep will help if it means that children will avoid making a ‘crack’ because they stepped on a twig. Such an approach will also help them hone their balance and gross motor skills, as well as make the activity feel more exciting.
Attracting birds with the right kinds of bird food will help with this activity. In gardens, ‘peanut cakes’, suet seed balls, sunflower ‘hearts’ (seeds with the outer husk removed) and, sparingly, grated Cheddar cheese are always popular.
The use of binoculars or monoculars will help spot birds further away. For safety, children should use them only under adult supervision and avoid pointing them towards the sun and other bright objects.
Teach children to also listen out for the various bird calls, as those can give away the location and even type of birds.
Encourage children to develop a ‘keen eye’, i.e. good observational skills that are proactive as well as reactive.

Why This Activity is Important

As well as being fun, educational and beneficial to children through time spent in nature, bird-spotting helps to draw children’s attention to the plight of birds, other wild creatures and the natural environment. Sadly, the number of birds has dropped by nearly 60% in the UK since 1979. The population of house sparrows alone has declined by almost 22 million in the last 57 years. The Chief Executive of the RSPB stated the following after 2023’s Big Garden Birdwatch:

“The numbers speak for themselves when it comes to the startling declines of some of our once common birds…
We are in a nature and climate emergency and we’ve lost 38 million birds from our skies in the last 50 years.”

Nature activities like butterfly-spotting, bird-spotting, country walks and outdoor play around nature will help foster children’s interest in the Great Outdoors and the simple pleasures associated with spending time in the natural environment. That alone is very good for both body and soul. In parallel, though, such activities are also likely to encourage an interest in ecology, conservation, reversing habitat loss, and eco-friendly lifestyles. All of these benefit the world itself. Moreover, such interests often last a lifetime. So, this simple type of children’s activity can have a real domino effect.

Nature-Based Activities for Under-5s at Little Acorns Nursery, Hindley Green

Because spending time around nature is so important, the team at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green ensure that children get good access to nature, nature-based activities and even natural materials. This approach is backed up by our adoption of ‘Hygge’ at the setting. This, together with our first-class approach to early years childcare, give babies, toddlers and preschoolers a great start in life, giving them all the tools to absolutely thrive. As well as that, we also support all Government-funded childcare places for eligible families.

Why not register your little one for a childcare place at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green, near Wigan? Get in touch using a button below and we’ll be happy to show you and your little one around, answer questions and register them for a nursery place.

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01942 259 870

Little Acorns is a high-quality nursery & preschool in Hindley Green, near Wigan. We are also nearby to Bickershaw, Leigh, Atherton, Westhoughton, Ince-in-Makerfield, Platt Bridge, Tyldesley, Bolton and Greater Manchester, so may also suit families living or working in those locations.

Safety & Well-Being

^{Before we sign off from this post, we should mention the topic of safety and well-being for children. Vigilance around these is critical and seldom more crucial than when children are spending time outdoors. Children, especially the very young, should therefore be closely supervised by a responsible adult at all times, paying special attention to hazards including ponds and water sources of any kind, poisonous plants, toxic chemicals (weedkiller, pest killer etc.), trip hazards, nasty drops and uneven ground, sources of germs, barbed wire and other sharp objects, roads, railways and traffic, potential allergens, choking hazards, stranger danger, risks around becoming lost, and so on. Parents/adults will need to constantly watch out for potential risks and teach children to do so too. This list is not exhaustive, so do your research/assessments.}

31st July 2023/by Mark

Activities for Children, Butterflies, Children, Early Years Education, Free Stuff, Hindley Green, Learning & Development, Nature, Nurseries, Nursery, Outdoor Play, Pre-School, Pre-Schools, Preschoolers, Toddlers, Under-5s

Discover British Butterflies: A Fun Nature Activity for Children

Today’s exciting blog post encourages families to explore the wonders of nature and embark on a delightful butterfly-spotting adventure! Butterflies are simply beautiful creatures and their amazing colours and patterns are sure to appeal to little ones. With that in mind, we have prepared a visually appealing and informative A3 poster featuring 36 British butterflies, which you can download for free and print out. So, why not get the family ready to step outside, immerse yourselves in nature, and create cherished memories as you observe these enchanting creatures in their natural habitat? The poster gives visual reference and also ensures you have a lasting memento of this unique experience. Over time, this poster and nature-based activity will help you and your little one learn to identify these diverse and important little pollinators. As we reported before, nature is hugely beneficial for children, so it’s good to encourage them to get outdoors and search out these incredible little beings. Let’s take a look and dive into the fascinating world of butterflies together…

Butterfly Poster Preview:

Download Instructions

Depending on your settings, left-clicking the image above — or this link — will usually open it directly on screen, where you can see the images and zoom in on all the lovely detail. Alternatively, try right-clicking to save the file to your hard drive and then open it manually in Acrobat Reader ^∞. Print out the file to good quality A3 paper or ‘reduce to fit’ to print at A4.

Explore the Great Outdoors With Respect

Now that you have your poster, it’s time to venture outdoors with your little ones and seek out these beautiful butterflies. Whether you have a garden, a local park, or access to nature reserves and countryside, these locations often provide excellent opportunities for butterfly sightings. Teach children to have keen eyes and perhaps take along a camera, smartphone or magnifying glass for a closer look. Encourage them to keep track of the butterflies they encounter by marking or ticking the corresponding species on their poster. Perhaps take note of the date and location of each sighting, so you can go back again if you find a busy butterfly spot.

Remember, though, that butterflies are incredibly fragile little individuals that are peacefully going about their business. So, teach your children to respect them and not to touch or attempt to catch them — encourage children to observe, appreciate and enjoy their unique beauty.

Why This Activity is Important

Butterflies and other pollinators have experienced a significant decline in the UK over recent years, highlighting the importance of encouraging children to appreciate and respect nature. According to studies, butterfly populations have declined by approximately 40% in the past four decades, with certain species facing an even more alarming decline. These statistics serve as a wake-up call that emphasises the urgent need to protect and restore habitats that support these beautiful creatures.

Children can be a part of that. Engaging children in nature not only benefits them directly, but it also nurtures their sense of wonder and curiosity. Importantly, though, it also instils in them a deep appreciation for the environment and its inhabitants. By embarking on butterfly-spotting adventures and immersing themselves in the natural world, children will develop a sense of empathy for other creatures. They will begin to understand the interconnectedness of ecosystems and recognise the importance of preserving habitats for the survival of butterflies and other wildlife. Let’s inspire a love for butterflies and the natural world and foster a generation that cherishes and safeguards the rich biodiversity that sustains us all.

Nature for Under-Fives at Little Acorns Nursery, Hindley Green

We fully appreciate the importance and enormous benefits of introducing young children to nature at Little Acorns Nursery. Indeed, it’s one of the many reasons we’ve adopted the Hygge approach to early years childcare at the setting. So, if you would like your baby, toddler or preschooler to enjoy the very best childcare and early years education, register them for a childcare place at Little Acorns Nursery in Hindley Green, near Wigan. We’d be happy to show you around too, so you can see how well your child fits in. What’s more; we support free Government-funded childcare places for eligible families, so get in touch using an option below.

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01942 259 870

Little Acorns Nursery & Preschool is at Hindley Green, near Wigan, close to Bickershaw, Leigh, Atherton, Westhoughton, Ince-in-Makerfield, Platt Bridge, Tyldesley, Bolton and Greater Manchester.

31st May 2023/by Mark

The Benefits & Importance of Nature to Children in Early Childhood

Active Play, Activities for Children, Children, Early Years Education, Education, Exercise, Hindley Green, Learning & Development, Nature, Nurseries, Nursery, Outdoor Play, Pre-School, Pre-Schools, Preschoolers, Toddlers, Under-5s

The Importance of Nature in Early Childhood

As parents, we all want the best for our children. We strive to provide them with a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports their growth and development. However, in today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the importance of nature in our children’s lives.

Nature has long been recognised for its therapeutic and restorative effects on humans, and this is especially true for children in their early years. Exposure to natural environments can have a profound impact on a child’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.

In this article today, we will explore the benefits of nature to children’s development, provide practical tips on how to incorporate nature into a child’s life and discuss the importance of nature education in early childhood. We hope to inspire parents and caregivers to embrace nature as a fundamental part of a child’s upbringing, and to recognise its immense value in shaping their future.

“Nature play in early childhood has been found to enhance the development of sensory, motor, and cognitive skills, as well as creativity and imagination.” (International Journal of Play)

The Benefits of Nature to Children’s Development

Nature and exposure to natural environments can have a significant and multifaceted range of benefits for children. This is particularly true when it’s introduced early in their lives, because research shows that early childhood is a critical period for brain development and learning. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the benefits that nature can bring to little ones.

Improved Physical Health & Healthier Habits

Spending time in nature can promote physical activity and healthy habits, thereby reducing unhealthy sedentary behaviour and potentially even reducing the risk of obesity. Outdoor play and exploration can also help children to develop gross motor skills, coordination, balance, and agility. Exposure to natural light and fresh air is also known to boost the immune system and thereby help overall health.

Enhanced Cognitive Development

Nature can provide a rich sensory environment that stimulates the brain and enhances cognitive function. Studies show that exposure to natural settings has been shown to improve attention span, memory, and problem-solving skills as well as boost creativity, imagination, and curiosity. In addition, by learning about the natural world, children can develop a deeper understanding of science, maths, and other subjects.

Reduced Stress & Improved Emotional Well-Being

Spending time in natural environments can often reduce stress and anxiety in both children and adults. Nature provides a calming and soothing atmosphere that promotes a more positive mood. Self-esteem, confidence, and emotional regulation are also known to be improved by exposure to green spaces and natural settings.

Increased Creativity & Imagination

Outdoor exploration and discovery can foster a real sense of wonder and awe in children. The natural beauty and diversity of nature can also spark creativity and encourage artistic expression in children. Indeed, it can represent an endless source of inspiration for imaginative play.

Better Social Skills & Relationships

Nature is a wonderful setting for social interaction and play. It can provide many opportunities for children to learn new skills, including collaboration, cooperation, teamwork and communication. By encouraging critical thinking, outdoor activities also promote problem-solving skills. Exposure to nature can also improve empathy, compassion, and respect for others and the environment. It’s also a wonderful leveller.

Nature Education Fosters Environmental Awareness & Stewardship

By learning about the natural environment, children can develop a sense of environmental awareness and stewardship. This can encourage them to take action to protect the environment and promote sustainability.

“Exposure to nature has a restorative effect on cognitive function, particularly attention and memory. Children with ADHD have shown significant improvement in concentration after spending time in nature.” (Journal of Attention Disorders)

How to Incorporate Nature into Your Child’s Life

Integrating nature into your child’s life doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. There are many simple and practical ways to expose your child to the benefits of the natural world. Here are some ideas:

Make time for outdoor play — set aside regular time for outdoor play and exploration. This can include visits to local parks, nature reserves, or your own back garden.
Encourage outdoor activities — encourage your child to engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, gardening, and camping (under suitable adult supervision, of course, especially when children are very young). Such activities can provide opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and exposure to nature.
Take nature walks — go for walks with children in natural settings such as forests, beaches, or hills. Use this time to explore and learn about the natural environment and its wonderful inhabitants.
Plant a garden — planting a garden can provide a hands-on learning experience for children, as well as a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. It can also encourage healthy eating habits and an appreciation for nature’s beauty. If you have no garden, grow bags can be used on a patio, or pots can be used on balconies and windowsills.
Bring nature indoors — incorporate natural elements into your home, such as potted plants, natural materials like wood or stone, or even nature-themed murals and pictures. The Hygge lifestyle also embraces this approach, hence having adopted Hygge at Little Acorns Nursery.
Limit screen time — reduce the amount of time your child spends in front of electronic screens and encourage more outdoor activities and play, supervised as appropriate of course.
Get involved in nature-related organisations, clubs or groups — consider joining one of these or volunteering for environmental conservation or nature education projects. This can provide opportunities for your child to learn more about nature and develop a sense of environmental stewardship.

By incorporating nature into your child’s life in these and other ways, you can help them develop a lifelong love and appreciation for the natural world that will last a lifetime.

We hope that this article has inspired you to incorporate nature into your child’s life and consider the benefits of nature education in their early childhood.

“Nature exposure in early childhood is associated with multiple cognitive benefits including enhanced cognitive functioning, increased creativity, improved academic performance, and decreased attentional deficits.” (Frontiers in Psychology)

Our Approach to Nature Education at Little Acorns Nursery, Hindley Green

At Little Acorns Nursery, we believe in the importance of nature in children’s lives. So, we provide a rich and stimulating environment that includes plenty of opportunities for outdoor play and nature education. Our adoption of the Hygge lifestyle and extensive outdoor grounds with natural areas for children to explore are all part of this. If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about our approach to education and how it embraces nature, please get in touch.

Weekday Nursery & Preschool Places in Hindley Green, near Wigan

Little Acorns provides an exceptionally high standard of weekday childcare at our Hindley Green nursery and preschool, near Wigan. We support all Government childcare funding schemes, including free hours for eligible families. Do get in touch if you would like to register your child for a place, get a guided tour with your little one or if you have any questions.

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01942 259 870

Little Acorns Nursery & pre-school is located in Hindley Green, near Wigan, and may also be convenient to those in Bickershaw, Leigh, Atherton, Westhoughton, Ince-in-Makerfield, Platt Bridge, Tyldesley, Bolton and Greater Manchester.

30th April 2023/by Mark

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