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Outdoors as a Classroom
December 18, 2012
You don’t need a title to be a leader. You lead by example.
-Jamie Woodburn
-Jamie Woodburn
In the latest addition to the Exchange online store, Cultivating Outdoor Classrooms: Designing and Implementing Child-Centered Learning Environments, Eric Nelson makes these points about thinking of the outdoors as a classroom...
"Traditional ECE training does not include thinking about the outdoors as a classroom space. So your first, and probably most important, step should be to drop old notions about the outdoors as simply a space for children to use during recess. Think instead about indoor and outdoor classrooms as different only in their floors, walls, and ceilings.
"You don't have to remove your teacher's hat when you move outdoors. Continue to be a teacher, and work with just as much focus as you did indoors. Your role is not to become a playground monitor, and outdoor time is not simply a break from more important matters. Outdoor activities promote just as much learning as indoor ones, and require just as much of your thought and attention."
Cultivating Outdoor Classrooms |
 Transform outdoor spaces into learning environments where children can enjoy a full range of activities as they spend quality time in nature. This book is filled with guidance to help you plan, design, and create an outdoor learning program that is a rich, thoughtfully equipped, natural extension of your indoor curriculum. |
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Comments (5)
Displaying All 5 CommentsStoryteller
Santa Barbara, CA, United States
Thank yo
Eric Nelson has been an inspiration for many teachers in Santa Barbara LosAngeles Counties. We have been working under the umbrella of Outdoor Classrooms and now we are working beyond attending a series of workshops to improve eating habits with the Preschool Food Initiative. Eric and other advocates have been provided us with important information about how to engage children and their families to choose healthy eating choices.
Thank you
Grammangal
Thane, Maharashtra, India
Yes, It's a famtastic way of refreashing learning environments. I've worked for 22 years with young kids & have practiced this very often. When I would find that the children are getting restless in the room, I would take them out for lessons like mathemetical concepts, language development or for drawing & painting, with their papers & boards. And I found that they are more enthusiastic & could concentrate on their work. Being in a natural surrouinding is the requirement of their brain. every ece teacher must keep this practice as a break to formal learning experiences.
MT, United States
I have a Bacheelor's Degree in ECE. I did learn to use the outdoors for teaching in my college program. I had a week long class in teaching in the outdoors, which took place largely in the outdoors!
I also took classes in teACHING environmental education for some electives. i partnered with a local conservation organization to have monthly field trips at their refuge.
Members of one of my classes was able to meet monthly with a high school biology class whose students became their older science buddies; we were able to visit their classroom and to go on field trips with them to explore and monitor a local stream for a restoration project.
I also partnered with a local garden club member to do a year long gardening activity weekly--my class became charter members of the local Junior Gardening Club!
Lots of fun and learning about our local environment happened in all these classes and activities.
CSBC
Denver, United States
I do not totally agree with this piece. Obviously the outdoors is a critical leaning environment for young children. But one of the reasons its so important to use the outdoors is that it is a different learning environment, and thus requires different things from the teacher. The use of space, sound, light, colors, textures, and smells are all very different outside, and a good teacher capitalize on these. Thus I believe to teach effectively in the outside environment, a teacher must use different skills from teaching inside, and must develop an entirely new way of teaching! My late father was a master at this!
Berea Early Childhood Regional Training Center
Berea, KY, United States
Amen, PREACH IT, brother! (Sorry! I'm from the Bible Belt and got carried away with enthusiasm!)
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