How Outdoor Play Supports Communication and Language Development
Communication and language development is central to all learning in the Early Years. It shapes how children express themselves, build relationships and make sense of the world around them. While language is often associated with adult-led activities indoors, some of the most meaningful communication happens outside, through play.
Outdoor play offers children the space, freedom and motivation to communicate naturally. In thoughtfully designed outdoor environments, language develops organically through hands on exploration, imagination, collaboration and shared experience, without pressure or formality.
Why Communication and Language Development Matters in Early Years
Communication is the foundation for unlocking learning, building confidence and increasing social connection
Effective communication skills underpin almost every area of development. Children use language to share ideas, manage emotions, build confidence and develop a sense of belonging. When communication is unlocked, it can allow social relationships, emotional well-being and learning outcomes to flourish.
Outdoor play creates situations where communication has a clear purpose. Children negotiate rules, explain their thinking, respond to peers and interpret non-verbal cues, all within real and engaging ‘real world’ environments.
Communication and language within the EYFS
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) recognises communication and language as a prime area of learning. It emphasises the importance of children developing speaking and listening skills through everyday experiences and how this is crucial for cognitive, social and emotional development.
Outdoor environments support this approach by offering space and flexibility, allowing children to experience high quality communication that reflect their stage of development and individual needs.
Outdoor Play as a Language-Rich Environment
Everyday communication through shared outdoor experiences
Outdoor spaces naturally invite interaction. Children are often more relaxed and socially open outside, which makes communication more spontaneous and meaningful.
During outdoor play, children talk imaginatively to plan games, explain ideas, negotiate space and respond to others. These interactions support expressive and receptive language in authentic, real-world situations.
There are lots of resources that can be included within your outdoor environment which promote language rich opportunities, whether it is making a ‘marvellous, gooey, sticky mud pie’ in the mud kitchen and messy zone or making the water flow ‘faster’, ‘slower’, ‘quicker’ as part of creating a dam on the damming station. Children will narrate their play and what they are trying to achieve as they draw upon interactions with their peers to overcome challenges and solve problems: whether it’s building a bigger tower, climbing the highest mountain...making the water stop. There is huge intrinsic reward with play in the outdoors which creates more relaxed and children who communicate more readily.
Why outdoor environments support speech, language and communication
Outdoor play is open-ended by nature. Children are motivated to communicate because they are emotionally invested in what they are doing, rather than being directed to “use language” in a structured way. There is less pressure on getting something right or wrong, instead there is more emphasis on the learning process itself.
Active and Physical Play as the Foundation for Communication
Movement is a child’s earliest form of communication
From the very beginning, physical development and communication are closely linked. Before children can co-ordinate spoken word, they communicate through movement, pointing, reaching, facial expressions, body positioning and even a vehement head shake to show their thoughts, feelings and need.
Movement is often described as a child’s first language, allowing children to express needs, interests and emotions long before spoken language develops. In lots of cases parents and Early Years practitioners use Makaton as a tool of communication through signing key words and needs to be able to engage in back and forth interactions with a child to understand their need.
How physical development supports speech and language
As children grow, physical skills such as posture, balance and breath control help prepare the body for speech. Sitting upright, coordinating facial muscles and controlling airflow all contribute to clear communication.
Outdoor spaces give children the freedom and motivation to move, explore and strengthen these physical foundations. It also releases endorphins and reduces stress to create the perfect climate for encouraging communication and language.
Communication through active play with others
Running, climbing, balancing and navigating outdoor spaces together naturally encourages communication. Children ask for help, express excitement, negotiate taking turns and share ideas as part of physical play.
Through these interactions, vocabulary develops alongside confidence and social understanding.
Loose Parts and Exploratory Play for Shared Language
Descriptive language through exploration and problem-solving
Loose parts play, using natural and open-ended materials, offers rich opportunities for communication. As children explore, they describe textures, compare sizes, explain ideas and ask questions.
Vocabulary development through natural materials
Sticks, stones, leaves, sand, water and mud, along with other natural and tactile materials, provide a shared focus for conversation and are a great free resource that can be accessed by all.
Through messy play and hands-on exploration, children experiment, compare and predict outcomes, describing textures, changes and effects as they play.
These sensory experiences give children meaningful reasons to use new words and explain their thinking in context of making sense of the world around them.
Turn-taking and collaborative communication
When children build or create together, they practise listening, responding and negotiating. These shared experiences support the development of conversational skills and social language which are fundamental to every day life. Conflict resolution and mastering using words to share your point of view and listen to others is a skill which has to be learnt, and play is the perfect opportunity for learning and mastering this.
Creative Role Play and Imaginative Language Outdoors
Using language creatively through role play
Creative role play is one of the most effective ways to support communication and language development. Outdoor role play allows children to explore ideas, take on roles and create shared narratives.
Through imaginative play, children practise storytelling, experiment with vocabulary and adapt their language to different situations.
Why outdoor role play supports confidence and expression
Outdoor role play environments often feel less restrictive, encouraging children to express themselves freely. This supports confidence and helps language develop without fear of making mistakes. They can be loud and expressive in ways that its not permitted indoors as they are encouraged to recognise the difference between inside and outside voices.
Social communication and understanding others
Role play supports perspective-taking, negotiation and emotional understanding. When children take part in themed role-play scenarios, such as imagining they are crew members aboard a ship, they naturally adapt their language as they assign roles, agree rules, give instructions, solve shared problems and explain what is happening within the story.
These immersive experiences help children understand how language changes depending on context, audience and purpose, while encouraging collaborative listening and communication.
Storytelling, Listening and Group Communication Outdoors
Developing listening and attention skills outdoors
Storytelling outdoors supports listening and attention in a calm, engaging setting. Children often find it easier to focus and participate when they feel comfortable and relaxed, including a storyteller’s chair can help create a sense of structure and shared focus, making it easier for children to sit comfortably, listen and stay engaged.
Shared discussion and expressive language through storytelling
Group storytelling encourages creative and imaginative discussions and reflection. These conversations help children practise expressive language and build confidence in group communication.
Outdoor storytelling as a social language experience
Outdoor storytelling is about more than listening. It creates shared moments of discussion and collaboration, helping children learn from one another.
Creating Outdoor Spaces Where Communication Can Thrive
Outdoor play is a powerful driver of communication and language development. When outdoor spaces are thoughtfully designed, they become environments where children feel confident to express themselves, explore ideas and connect with others. We feel so strongly about this that our company strapline is even "Stories Start Here" as we believe that giving children to tools to play and learn will lead to those lightbulb moments that shape their futures.
By focusing on inclusive, purposeful outdoor environments, early years settings and schools can support communication development in ways that are natural, effective and long-lasting. It is not just about what is provided, but about the experiences those spaces enable - and the futures they help to shape.
To find out how we can help you to develop Communication & Language development at your setting, please get in touch with our team at 0117 332 7710 or by email to info@phoenixplay.co.uk
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