Nursery World - Enabling Environments: Outdoors

Viv Hampshire explains how she organised a story walk to bring the popular picture book We're Going on a Bear Hunt to life.

When picture-book author Julia Donaldson was recently appointed as Children's Laureate, one of the first plans she announced was her intention to promote projects that will link books with drama and music.

It's easy to see books only as a passive indoor activity, with the adult reading and the children sitting still and listening, but many stories are suitable for a little dramatic interpretation, so they can be 'acted out', either inside or out in the fresh air.

With the aid of a few simple props and a little imagination, children can move around, join in with the actions and words, and feel that they are really there, inside the story. This can help to encourage reluctant readers, particularly boys, to understand and enjoy stories in a new, exciting and much more physical way.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included