Outdoor play is so beneficial for kids (big and small). Through playing outside, younger children learn and become more aware of their surroundings. It helps them develop useful motor skills and stay active while also having fun. It’s important that the school you choose for your child takes this into consideration. We look at these Singapore preschools with outdoor playgrounds for kids and toddlers, and daily outdoor activities, and we hear what the parents think of them too.
Outdoor Play at Shaws Preschool
Since opening its doors in 1989, outdoor play has been an intrinsic part of the Shaws Preschool curriculum. Being outdoors encourages children to explore, learn and understand the world around them through words, smell, touch and hearing the sounds of nature. All five of their schools have large outdoor playground for kids that include butterfly gardens and veggie patches, climbing and sports equipment, bicycle tracks, water play and messy play areas.
Shaws Teachers do more than just take lessons outdoors – they integrate the outdoors into learning. You might find the children outside under a shady spot for art classes, taking a Chinese reading lesson, measuring for a Maths lesson, or doing experiments for Science. The children get to use their fine and gross motor skills while soaking up some vitamin D, exercising and getting lots of fresh air, all while they learn. Children at the Serangoon campuses even enjoy Water Confidence Classes in the private pool at the Lorong Chuan campus, all as part of the Shaws Play curriculum.
Twice a week, the kids have Shaws Little League classes introducing them to soccer, basketball, rugby, cricket, volleyball, hockey, athletics and more. What better way to learn resilience, grit, communication, teamwork and develop self-esteem? Toddlers also have Messy Play and Water Play in the morning or afternoon, a great way to make a mess while learning through play and having fun outdoors!
A parent’s thoughts…
“A major highlight for us has been the sports and outdoors focus at Shaws. The kids get plenty of time to outdoor play and Shaws does Little League all year round. We really value this as it gets the kids moving and interested in a huge range of sports.” – Kathryn & Matthew Bousfield, Shaws Preschool Katong
Five Singapore preschools – locations islandwide
9789 2255 | shaws.com.sg
Little Bunnies Outdoor Activities
Little Bunnies – The Outdoor Classroom is a preschool with a difference; you sense this from the moment you walk into the open, breathable classroom made from recycled finds. This Singapore preschool doesn’t use air-conditioning, instead taking advantage of the high ceilings for natural ventilation with a totally open breathable wall. The tropical oasis garden has shady grass areas for outdoor play where chickens roam freely amongst the plants and vegetables. The garden has bamboo-woven playhouses for imaginary play along with a small pond with fish and tadpoles.
Children play outside for an hour each morning. Activities vary from nature treasure hunts and watercolour painting to fun with ride-on cars and trucks, digging in the garden and watering the plants. Projects inside the classroom often extend outside with dinosaurs and fossil hunting and even outdoor picnics.
Little Bunnies is a “green thinking green doing” preschool with a very low carbon footprint. The teaching team strives to help children understand that we all need to play our part to help our planet to thrive, and that being connected to and having empathy for nature and living things is essential for wellbeing.
A parent’s thoughts…
“Sid and Doug had such amazing experiences at Little Bunnies. We appreciate all of the effort that the preschool put in to ensure they were always happy and thriving. We really couldn’t wish for a better start to their ‘school’ life.” – Jo & Andy
21 Media Circle, #01-08
9759 8990 | little-bunnies.com
Looking for things to do in Singapore with kids or friends?
