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

LEARNING BY THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

Let's take a look at the outdoor classroom and the endless amount of learning that takes place.  This video is called "Learning Outside the Box." When we think beyond the classroom we can really encourage more learning to occur when we give things a chance. This project was done from a small idea to fix the playground. These educators used their community to help build an outdoor classroom. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVC8yEL-tBo

WHY EXTEND OUTDOOR PLAY?

Why do children get so excited to go outside to play? Why do children seem more sociable when they enter the outside playground? 

I believe that children feel comfortable and free to explore their environment when they have space. Being outside allows children to be exposed to natural materials that permit learning. Children can socially construct their own theories and knowledge through the outside environment. 

This blog will show you a range of different ways the outdoor classroom benefits a child and the learning that takes place.