Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/world-forum-in-action/5021282/
Get Out!Looking to do something to improve the health of young children? Educators in early childhood and beyond, from all over the globe, are invited to make a commitment to take the children in their care outdoors for extended periods of time �" perhaps for two days, a week of half days, or stretch to a full two weeks outdoors.
If this challenge is for you, please email your commitment to Ron Blatz of the Manitoba Nature Action Collaborative for Children (Canada) at [email protected].
Do what works for you, and begin what will surely be an incredible experience for both you and your students.
Some helpful hints:
• Try starting your day outside, the moment your program opens.
• Inform and prepare your parents for any significant shift in program focus.
• Children love eating outside, napping outside, and even playing in the rain.
• Give your teaching partners a bit of time to get their heads around the idea.
• Start small and build on success.
• Document (in writing and with pictures) your experiences and share with parents and fellow colleagues.
• Even infants and toddlers thrive outside. They really can do it!
• You don’t need to over plan. A few activities can go a long way, outdoors.
• Show the children you, too, are ...