Finding ways to keep students interested in schoolwork and increasing their cognitive abilities has been a constant struggle for teachers. It is common knowledge that when a child’s interest wanes, it becomes harder for them to learn and retain knowledge on the subject. One tool that can be used to combat this issue would be the use of an outdoor classroom or learning outdoors. During the late 60’s and 70’s outdoor education was highly recommended in curriculum guidelines to enrich educational experiences, but later declined in the 80’s (Eaton, 1998). Today, outdoor education only plays a small role in children’s education experiences, despite the benefits it could provide. Teachers should take advantage of outdoor education to increase children’s cognitive skills, provide physical and emotional benefits, and decrease the bio phobia many children seemed to have developed. Outdoor education can be used for multiple age groups and multiple subjects. Generally, outdoor education used for science studies such as biology, ecology, astronomy, and geology; however it can be used in many other subjects as well. For English and reading, taking students outside would bring a peaceful atmosphere that could make focusing on a book or writing easier. Real world examples could be used for math problems outside. Education opportunities are numerous outside, so long as the teacher keeps their mind open. Studies have been done on students to see whether or not learning outside increases
Roskos and Neuman (1994) too note that "from Pestalozzi to the present there has been an abiding belief in the importance of the physical environment as an agent in young children's learning" (p. 251) And that this belief forms "the cornerstone of an interactionist view of human development" (ibid). Skilled teachers, therefore, working with the age that is mentioned in this module, devise ways of doing so focusing on a variety of listening, talking, reading, and writing activities.
Did you know that highly trafficked areas like Niagara Falls are best for solo hiking? Highly populated areas such as Niagara falls are exquisite hiking spots for novice hikers, even if someone is hiking a simple trail, it is pivotal that people are notified of the individual's whereabouts. It is crucial to communicate with family or trusted associates before you go on a hike owing to the fact that hiking alone can pose threats such as injuries, complicated weather, and dangerous wildlife.
The importance of the environment lies in the belief that children can best create meaning and make sense of their world through environments which support complex, varied, sustained, and changing relationships between people, the world of experience, ideas and the many ways of expressing ideas. The pre-schools tend to be filled with indoor plants and vines, and awash with natural light. Classrooms open to a central piazza, kitchens are open to view and access to the surrounding community is assured through wall sized windows, courtyards, and doors to the outside in each classroom.
“Outdoor education is in line with current thinking, but also echo’s the philosophy of the McMillan sisters. Practitioners today should be aware of the opportunities afforded by outdoor provision, not only in terms of developing children’s learning, but also with positive benefits to their health” (Cooper 2004)
When exploring water and gardens, it is important to apply the EYLF to children’s learning and development. Outcome two, children are connected with and contribute to their world allows children to develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities, respond to diversity with respect, be aware of fairness, and show respect for the environment (DEEWR, 2009). By developing these outcomes children begin to broaden their understanding of the world they live in. This can be explored by providing children with opportunities to explore the environment through gardening or water play and promote positive responses
Equipment and Environment: The lesson will take place in a large area outside of the school free of any obstruction. There will be bright orange place markers so the children know not to wonder out of the designated areas.
Children at **** **** frequently engage in experiential activities where they are encouraged to explore indoor and outdoor environments and gain first-hand experience of recognising materials; making comparisons / recognising similarities and differences; estimating and predicting; counting; sequencing; weighing and measuring etc. Engaging in relevant discussions that provide an opportunity for the children to build their skills, increase their knowledge and extend their mathematical vocabulary is an essential part of the learning process.
We know that a rich and varied environment supports children’s learning and development. It gives them the confidence to explore and learn in secure and safe, yet challenging, indoor and outdoor spaces.
Having fun and engaging objects outdoors can also encourage the children to talk, ‘go find the wellington boots’ for example.
The outdoor environment must provide children to have freedom and able to run around and have independance. The outdoor environment must suit all ranges of weather so the children can go outside in all weathers. All equiptment must be suitable and age appropriate, before children can go outside risk assessments must be done, if there is any unnessesary objects outdoors such as glass, litter or waste can be removed so it is safe for the children to play. The outdoor area should provide challenge as a risk is a challenge what a child can see, and are able to undertake it or not. Free flow must be introduced so children can move freely from outdoors to indoors easily. Learning activities must be provided outdoors also.
Now, in modern times kids nowadays stay inside the house and eating when your grandparents were young they would go outside and play. We kids these days are distracted by electronics which your grandparents did not have to worry about because they did not have any. Going outside will help you with your health exercise and obesity if you are fat. first what happens to your body and mind when you stay in the house to long.
There are a whole lot of programs or curriculums out there that try to talk about the environmental and academic needs of children. In this paper, I will try my best to discuss the five components of the
Being outdoors is an amazing solution to spending time with family and friends. It is a fun approach to mingling and enjoying quality time with them. In addition to that, you are outside spending time in nature. Taking a break from your everyday life to enjoy what mother nature provides for us, has many advantages. But, before you start heading to the campground, you should know of all the positive aspects that you will get once you get outdoors.
Grigg and Lewis (2016, p. 19) define learning outside the classroom as “children learning about people, their heritage and the natural environment, largely through play and first-hand experiences, in a wide range of contexts beyond the classroom.” Learning outside the classroom enables teachers to bring the curricula alive by integrating the school grounds and the local landscape into their teaching (Beames et al., 2012). It is important that children are given more opportunities to explore the natural world as there is no doubt that there are many benefits to outdoor learning. Furthermore, according to the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto:
Despite what mankind would like to believe, humans are animals. As multi-celled organisms, we consume other organic matter, change the land for own uses as a beaver would build a dam, and as other mammals, we are all fed breast milk from our mothers when we were young. Yet there is this disconnection and alienation of the human race towards other species. Moreover, through fear of taking action, the convenience provided to us if we simply choose to ignore the environment, and the alienation of other species that are endangered by our actions, the hostile and uncaring attitude of humans towards nature is the core reason for many of the problems in our environment today.