The outdoor classroom
“From the moment they are born, babies find out about and discover the world around them through play. They explore with their bodies and through their senses. Throughout childhood, children continue to learn and develop through a vast range of play experiences” – (Beith, K et al, 2010).
By having outdoor classrooms, it allows the children to be more active whilst also learning. They are given the freedom to explore and investigate their surroundings , and gives them a bit of risks which they can learn from, this can be known as ‘trial and error’.
The Foundation Phase also believes in outdoor learning as the Welsh Government (2009) state “the outdoor is the ideal environment for experiential learning, because it offers unique opportunities to be creative, to move around, to be noisy and to take risks” and furthermore goes onto say “being outdoors enhances all aspects of children’s development: social, physical, creative, culture and personal.”
I have created a mind map of what some of the benefits can be from using the outdoor classrooms;
Forest schools are also becoming more known and popular within schools. Forest schools are natured based and “focuses on the holistic development of the child” states the schoolrun. These will be led by teachers who are qualified for forest school.
Furthermore, it allows the children to explore the environment, have a first-hand experience, explore and challenge themselves and “sessions are driven by the learners themselves, drawing on their interests and imagination” (Welsh Government, 2009).
Here is a video that talks about forest school more in depth:
Overall, outdoor classrooms and forest schools, provide more space for children to be able to move around freely, it allows them to be creative and imaginative, challenge themselves and to take risks, gives them more of a first-hand experience, more sensory experiences, improving their physical fitness and keeping them healthy, burning off energy and can help them with their self-esteem and confidence. “Allowing children to play freely enables them to find their own direction, seek answers to their own enquiries and gain a great sense of satisfaction from being absorbed in the enjoyment of what they have chosen to do.” (Beith, K et al, 2010).
If we look into Maria Montessori who placed a great emphasis on children going outside, and be able to experience nature. Montessori also believed that the outdoor environment should be an extension of the classroom.
Here is a small video slip I have found on youtube explaining more about Montessori -
If we look into Maria Montessori who placed a great emphasis on children going outside, and be able to experience nature. Montessori also believed that the outdoor environment should be an extension of the classroom.
Here is a small video slip I have found on youtube explaining more about Montessori -
