Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/time-in-nature/5025530/
*Photos can be found in the pdf version of this article.
In the past few years there have been numerous articles and books released documenting research that supports the benefits of learning outdoors. Fostering a connection to the outdoors is an ideal way for young children to learn. The mission at our nature preschool is to support the natural curiosity and desire for connection of young children and develop the range of foundational skills they need to grow, using the animals and outdoor environment around us (Hanscom, 2017; Sobel, 2016).
Learning Empathy from Observing Ducks
One of the ways we integrate nature into learning at our preschool is by allowing social interactions to naturally unfold. Empathy has been studied as a crucial social-emotional skill that children should be taught in preschool (Sobel, 2016). Recently, a group of 3-year-olds were on a walk around the pond. A highlight of the pond are the dozen ducks (dwindling due to snapping turtles and coyotes) that the teachers and children raised and released onto the pond two years ago. They are herded back into the school barn during winter to increase their chances of survival. On this particular day, a group of 3-year-olds are eager to check on ...