CAN YOU STILL HAVE CENTRES IN YOUR OUTDOOR CLASSROOM?

The answer... simply YES! Having an outdoor classroom, encourages educators to use the natural environment to create ways to facilitate learning.

This is a perfect example of a music centre outside. The natural world is inviting and allows children to explore and create learning opportunities on their own. This allows children to construct their knowledge and learning. 

ONLY ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN CONNECTED TO NATURE

BBC news researches, that their is a gender difference in the UK with children having exposure to the outdoors. Interestingly, girls are more likely exposed to the outdoors than boys. This article was under the science and environment section of BBC news. 

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-24532638

To find out more research about children's contact with the outdoors click on the link below.

http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/teaching/eecd/nature-based-learning/Research/childrens-contact-w-outdoors.pdf

A CREATIVE WAY TO ENCOURAGE LITERACY!

How do you encourage literacy?

BRING LITERACY OUTSIDE!!!! 

Encouraging literacy skills can sometimes be challenging but when you present it like the image below, it can change a child's perspective. As well, this is a great opportunity to work on fine-motor skills. 

This is a great idea because it is fun, on the child's level, encourages fine motor skills and best of all, it is OUTSIDE! Children love using chalk on the pavement, so taking the interest of the children and using it for a teaching method is key! This also promotes social skills and language development. 

        

http://www.pendlewood.com/childrens-playground-equipment/learning-outside-the-classroom/educational-extras/chalkboard-1.2m_145.html