Importance of Excursions In Early Learning

Children get so excited about excursions – they’re like mini adventures where they can explore, discover and wonder at the world.

It’s true, we make our excursions fun and exciting. We also understand the importance of excursions in education and we plan each one carefully to ensure children are extending their learning. At Edge Early Learning, we’re lucky to observe your children growing and developing every day. Our play-based curriculum means we encourage children to share their interests and let them take the lead. We offer suggestions and support for ways they can explore their ideas, for example through play, art or stories. Excursions can take that learning a step further, as an opportunity for children to see their ideas in real-world situations.

Cognitive development during excursions

Excursions are a great way for children to experience and learn about the real world. At Edge, we might plan a walking excursion to the local park or river, or a bigger trip to a farm, zoo, or museum. While there’s plenty of knowledge to learn at each place, while children are out and about, they’re also soaking up everything they see, hear and smell around them. They’re learning all about the world just by observing and being a part of it.

The importance of excursions in developing emotional regulation 

Excursions help children to develop confidence and feel connected with their community, which are important foundations for developing emotional resilience.

When we go on a group outing, we empower children to step outside and try a new experience. By showing children we trust them, we boost their confidence and sense of self.

Excursions provide social benefits for children

Excursions are wonderful ways for children to develop connections with each other. They can make new friends or strengthen existing friendships as they bond over the shared adventure. We also recognise the importance of excursions in early childhood as a way for children to develop valuable skills in how to behave in public, how to stay in a group and to be mindful and caring of peers. Excursions are also an opportunity for children to observe people they may not usually come across, perhaps from different cultural or linguistic backgrounds, older people or people with disabilities. Being exposed to the diverse range of people that make up our communities helps children to develop understanding, empathy and acceptance.

The physical benefits of excursions for children

Excursions to farms and aquariums, for example, can provide children with hands-on learning experiences, where they can see and touch what they have been learning. We also see the importance of excursions themselves as a great way to encourage children to get moving and develop an awareness for their own bodies. Outings usually involve walking, holding hands in pairs in “two straight lines” or keeping hold of a rope together. Children learn to “keep left” and share footpaths and to keep pace with the group.

Explore excursions at Edge Early Learning

Our educators at Edge Early Learning are dedicated to providing enriching learning experiences for your children. Take a peek at this video on our Facebook page about an excursion inspired by dinosaurs, or this YouTube clip of children enjoying an excursion.