Use of Natural Resources in Children’s Play

May 13, 2020
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“Rough and smooth objects to look at and feel; water and wet materials as well as dry things; soft and hard surfaces; things that make sounds (running water) or that can be struck, plucked, plinked; smells of all varieties (flowers, bark, mud); shiny bright objects and dull, dark ones; things both huge and tiny; high and low places to look at; and so on.” Richard Dattner

Natural Resources are great for children’s play. Natural resources should be integral to early years’ experiences.

Some of the advantages of using natural objects are:

Natural resources stimulate children’s creativity and imagination as children can play with these resources in many ways. It gives open-ended possibilities encouraging children to engage in richer play experiences.
Natural materials have sensory benefits. They have different textures, sizes, colours and smells. They also helps children to improve their hand/finger awareness and coordination.
Natural resources are more easily accessible. They can be collected from backyards, and outdoors at no cost. The resources are renewable; their creation and disposal has minimal harm to the environment.
Children learn about nature and be resourceful. Children learn about their local environment and learn to respect their environment.

Some of the natural resources which you can be used in family daycare to enhance children learning;