Learning On Your Doorstep

LoveReading4Kids Says

This title is available to purchase directly from the Bloomsbury Publishing website here.

There are some books that make you think, “Yes. This is exactly what we need.”

Learning on Your Doorstep by Caroline Eaton and Leslie Patterson is one of those books.

At its heart, this is a book about spotting adventure in the ordinary: the postbox, the park, the café, the bus, the muddy patch, even the recycling bins. It reminds us that outdoor learning is not a special extra, but a rich part of everyday — and every night — early years practice.

And it is practical. Really practical. This book holds together the big educational “why” with the everyday “how”. It celebrates children being outside: exploring, wondering, talking, moving and noticing, while also recognising the realities of planning, risk assessment, behaviour, resources, curriculum links and assessment.

The links to the EYFS areas of learning are clear and useful, with thoughtful prompts for vocabulary development and back-and-forth talk that help adults support children’s thinking without taking over.

Each outdoor learning example is clearly set out, with ideas for trips, local opportunities, continuous provision and follow-up classroom activities. The suggested texts for each opportunity are a particularly helpful addition, opening possibilities for story, language, imagination and deeper reflection.

The progression of skills and knowledge matrices show that outdoor learning is not vague or accidental, but purposeful, planned and deeply connected to children’s development.

It is also a beautiful book. The photographs are gorgeous and the layout is clear, inviting and easy to dip in and out of. This matters. Busy EYFS practitioners, teachers and child carers need resources that are inspiring but also usable.

Learning on Your Doorstep is both. It encourages, equips and gently reminds us that rich learning opportunities may be much closer than we think.

Reviewed by Joanna Beer
Jo Beer lives in Brighton and is a Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at the University of Chichester, following more than 20 years of teaching and leadership experience in…
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About Learning On Your Doorstep

This title is available to purchase directly from the Bloomsbury Publishing website here.

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