UK – Children’s extracurricular organisation Scouts is expanding its offering to welcome 4–5-year-olds. In a programme called Squirrels, young children will be encouraged to explore outdoor areas, make new friends and learn new skills. This offshoot comes as a response to the isolation that pre-school and reception-aged children have experienced during the pandemic.
Squirrels will initially be launched in areas that have been hardest hit by the pandemic. And with its focus on outdoor areas, the programme also ensures that nature remains accessible to all young people. ‘Squirrels is part of our commitment to help young people, families and communities come back stronger from the pandemic,’ says Matt Hyde, CEO of Scouts. ‘If you’re four, you’ve spent a third of your life in lockdowns. We know this has especially impacted children in communities hardest hit by the pandemic.’
By offering such a service, Scouts is pro-actively responding to the development needs of Generation Alpha – and looking beyond the content of conventional school curriculums.
Strategic opportuity
Educational organisations should think beyond textbook learning when catering to young children. Facilitate social connections, outdoor experiences and initiatives that instil confidence for face-to-face interactions