what is an outdoor learning environment

Full Answer

What is outdoor learning?

Outdoor Learning is a broad term that includes: outdoor play in the early years, school grounds projects, environmental education, recreational and adventure activities, personal and social development programmes, expeditions, team building, leadership training, management development, education for sustainability, adventure therapy ... and more.

What is a naturalized outdoor learning environment?

In essence, a naturalized outdoor learning environment is a natural playground or ‘classroom’ with elements that provide exposure to wildlife and the ever-changing dynamics of nature – bringing us back to those fundamental opportunities for kids to explore the world around them.

What makes a good outdoor natural play environment?

Outdoor natural play environments should provide a blend of natural areas, environmental features and plants to interest children in learning about nature and its elements. Important features include unstructured spaces and activities for creative learning and spontaneous play.

How can I improve the safety of my outdoor classroom?

Much of what you do in the classroom can be easily translated to the outdoor environment. You do that by incorporating safety, design, space and accessibility. Evaluate your outdoor learning environments. Make sure the equipment is safe and the environment is free from preventable risks.

What is meant by outdoor learning environment?

Outdoor Learning is a broad term that includes: outdoor play in the early years, school grounds projects, environmental education, recreational and adventure activities, personal and social development programmes, expeditions, team building, leadership training, management development, education for sustainability, ...

What are the characteristics of an outdoor play environment?

Outdoor natural play environments should provide a blend of natural areas, environmental features and plants to interest children in learning about nature and its elements. Important features include unstructured spaces and activities for creative learning and spontaneous play.

What is an outdoor enabling environment?

An enabling environment is a rich and varied space where risks are minimised and well managed, and children are protected from harm and abuse. To help ensure your environment is enabling, follow this checklist: Create an environment that is warm, welcoming and nurturing and facilitates a sense of belonging.

What are some examples for a preschool outdoor environment?

For preschool, these areas might include sand, water, wheeled toys, games, construction, woodworking, quiet activities, science, and nature. Outdoor learning environments should be designed with the same intentionality as indoor learning environments.

How do you create an outdoor learning environment?

6 key ingredients to creating an outdoor classroomLocation, location, location. ... Whiteboards. ... Seating. ... Shade. ... Storage. ... Raised Beds. ... Inexpensive add-ons. ... Protect the investment and produce long-term impact.

Why is the outdoor environment important for children's learning?

Having space to play outside stimulates and encourages children with sensory sensitivities to explore all of their senses. Good play areas develop both gross and fine motor skills.

Why is learning outdoors important?

Learning outside the classroom supports the development of healthy and active lifestyles by offering children opportunities for physical activity, freedom and movement, and promoting a sense of well-being.

What are the three types of environment?

The three types of environment are: Internal environment. External macro environment. External micro environment.

What outdoor learning offer?

Outdoor learning improves personal child development Collaboration outdoors can improve emotional, intellectual and behavioural development. Those learning outdoors develop their creativity, problem-solving, independence, confidence and more.

Why is outdoor play important in early childhood?

Many outdoor activities naturally help young children develop essential motor skills like coordination, agility, balance, and dexterity. Kids who are encouraged to explore outdoor environments will put their abilities to the test and constantly develop new skills through trial and error.

How do you create a safe environment in childcare?

Physical safetyclear or widen walkways.remove any injury or tripping hazards (make sure equipment is packed away when not needed)consider how you will supervise children who may be at risk of running away – think about your entry and exit points and how your area is enclosed.More items...•

How should you plan for outdoor play?

Choose nearby gardens, parks, zoos, forts, beaches, temples or hills. Having a picnic at such places will let children know about the importance of these places. They will learn about different places while having fun.

What does Reggio Emilia say about outdoor play?

A Reggio Emilia playground is designed around a circular central meeting place and then emanates outwards and uses elements found in nature for children to use to create imaginative play. Outdoor kitchens with utensils with a sandpit nearby can generate countless variations of role playing and imaginative play.

When planning an outdoor environment what are the five zones to consider?

When planning an outdoor environment, five zones to consider are: transition, manipulative-creative, active play, natural elements, and social-dramatic play.

When planning outdoor play what areas should you consider?

Creating an outdoor play area is a considerable investment, so careful consideration needs to be taken before you embark on such a project.1) Trust. Choose your provider carefully. ... 2) Safeguarding. ... 3) Reputable. ... 4) Support. ... 5) Communication. ... 6) Attention to detail. ... 7) Knowledge. ... 8) Understanding your users' needs.More items...

What is the importance of outdoor play?

Playing outdoors allows children to develop self-confidence, independence and self-esteem. They also become aware of limits, boundaries and challenge in their play. When children are used to playing outdoors, they are more likely to: try new activities.

How to encourage safety in outdoor learning?

You can encourage safety by undertaking risk assessments throughout the design process, or when introducing something new to the environment.

Why should outdoor play environments be natural?

Outdoor natural play environments should provide a blend of natural areas, environmental features and plants to interest children in learning about nature and its elements. Important features include unstructured spaces and activities for creative learning and spontaneous play. Natural environments provide opportunities for children ...

Why should outdoor spaces be flexible?

Permanent outdoor spaces should be flexible to enable educators to be responsive to children’s interests and development. The use of repurposed loose parts and open-ended resources allows children to enter and participate in play at their own level and to be guided by their own ideas.

Why is play based learning important?

Play-based learning is most effective when children are able to pursue their interests across an array of environments, including outdoor learning spaces . Learning is maximised when educators plan outdoor spaces thoughtfully to be reflective of children’s current interests and empower children to approach learning with a sense of agency.

What is the phone number of the Education Standards Board?

Education Standards Board. Phone: (08) 8226 0077 or 1800 882 413. Website: www.esb.sa.gov.au. Email: [email protected]. This fact sheet provides guidance for approved providers of education and care services to help them operate in line with the National Quality Framework.

What is a fact sheet for outdoor learning?

This fact sheet provides information on best-practice principles to consider when developing an outdoor learning environment for education and care services— one that supports the requirements of the National Quality Framework and provides an optimum learning environment for children.

What is the role of an educator in the classroom?

The educator’s role is to then interact with children in these spaces to ‘scaffold’ play in support of exploring children’s ideas, providing provocations for learning and testing theories.

How to evaluate outdoor learning environments?

Evaluate your outdoor learning environments by making sure the equipment is safe and the environment is free from preventable risks. You must consider fall zones, surfacing, access to shade, and the conditions of materials and equipment.

What is the outdoor environment for school?

Depending on your school-age program, the outdoor environment may include a dedicated outdoor play space at your program location, or you may use nearby outdoor spaces such as a local park.

How does playground design affect children?

In fact, playground design can impact children’s creative thinking and imaginative play (Susa & Benedict, 1994), and school-age children’s motor skill development and competence (Barbour, 1999). Outdoor environments will look different from program to program.

What are the benefits of outdoor play?

List benefits of outdoor play for school-age children. Create an outdoor environment with a variety of activities and learning experiences that can serve as extensions of the indoor learning environment. Design and maintain an outdoor learning environment that is safe and organized with designated areas for various types of play and learning.

How should outdoor spaces be organized?

Just like indoors, outdoor spaces must be organized for independence, easy use, and learning. Children and youth must be able to easily access materials and equipment. Outdoor paths, walkways, and stairs should be clearly marked and free of obstructions. It is important to make sure gross-motor play can happen safely in one area without disrupting play in another area. For example, a bicycle or skating path should not go right through an area where children and youth are drawing with chalk or playing hopscotch. You also want to separate the quiet activities (art, writing, and reading) from the loud and active activities (ball play, bikes, and running).

What are some outdoor learning areas?

You can create activity areas, much like you do for your indoor space. These areas may include: quiet, manipulative, physical, nature, social, dramatic, and art. Many of the same materials you provide indoors can be used to promote engagement outdoors.

Why should children have an outdoor environment?

The purpose of an outdoor environment is to encourage children to be active, to give them a break from being indoors, and to support learning in a variety of environments. Similar to an indoor learning environment, your outdoor space should be safe and organized and include planned activities as well as free time.

Advantages of Outdoor Learning Environments

Improved test scores and increased engagement with learning are just two of the benefits of introducing students to outdoor learning and giving students a chance to learn in a hands-on manner. Outdoor learning environments offer many other advantages to children, including:

How to Design Outdoor Learning Spaces

The design and building of an outdoor learning environment is usually a multi-step process. You’ll likely want to get several people on board, including the teachers who will use the environments, parents, students and local contractors or construction companies who will build the areas for you.

Factors to Consider When Creating Your Outdoor Space

As you brainstorm ideas for the outdoor learning environment, try to keep your ideas grounded in reality. Consider real-world issues that people using the environment are likely to face, such as getting too much sun in the middle of the afternoon or dealing with muddy spots after a rainstorm.

Outdoor Site Furnishings to Enhance Learning Environments

The furnishings you install in an outdoor learning environment should help students learn and create a welcoming and comfortable area for everyone who uses it. As you design the area, consider installing the following furnishings to enhance the environment.

Wabash Valley Can Help You Create Your Outdoor Learning Environment

You don’t have to design an outdoor learning space on your own. Wabash Valley offers site furnishings for large projects, such as an outdoor learning environment. We’re happy to work with you and help you choose customized furnishings that meet your students’ needs.

How to evaluate outdoor learning environments?

Evaluate your outdoor learning environments. Make sure the equipment is safe and the environment is free from preventable risks. You must consider fall zones, surfacing, access to shade and the condition of materials and equipment.

What are some outdoor learning areas?

For preschool, these areas might include sand, water, wheeled toys, games, construction, woodworking, quiet activities, science and nature (Dodge et al., 2010). Many of the same materials you provide indoors can be used to promote engagement outdoors.

How to prevent accidents in outdoor play?

You should begin each day by carefully inspecting outdoor play areas and equipment. This will help prevent major injuries or accidents. Walk around your outdoor play area and use the safety checklist provided by your program or the one in the Safety course. Talk about what you see with a trainer, coach or supervisor.

What is the importance of outdoor spaces in a classroom?

Just as in the classroom, you must ensure your outdoor spaces are organized for independence, easy use and learning. Children must be able to easily access materials and equipment. Outdoor paths, walkways and stairs should be clearly marked and free of obstruction.

How to foster creativity in outdoor play?

As much as possible, providing play equipment that can “become” multiple things in children’s play tends to foster creativity. If you have the opportunity to help pick play equipment, try to avoid items and structures that embody one idea (e.g., a pirate ship climber), and instead choose items that can take on multiple identities (e.g., more simple play structures).

What are some examples of outdoor activities?

An outdoor quiet activities interest area, for example, could consist of baskets of books in the shade under a tree. An outdoor dramatic play interest area could incorporate props such as blankets, picnic baskets, plastic dishes, utensils and dress-up clothes. You can also incorporate traditional outdoor toys into these interest areas. For example, you could create an outdoor art or writing interest area with sidewalk chalk, or you could incorporate bubble solution and wands of various shapes and sizes into an outdoor discovery/science interest area. Another idea would be to set up an outdoor science and nature center in which children can investigate materials found outdoors (e.g., leaves, sticks, seed pods) using magnifying glasses, scissors, etc. Found natural materials could also be used in an outdoor art interest area in which children can trace, draw or make rubbings or prints of these materials.

How much time do children spend outdoors?

You can do many things to help children experience nature and learn in the outdoors. Children spend as much as two hours per day outdoors in many programs. This is valuable time for children to develop their large muscles and sophisticated play skills. Much of what you do in the classroom can be easily translated to the outdoor environment.

What are developmentally appropriate outdoor learning environments?

What are developmentally appropriate outdoor learning environments?#N#Child development experts and parents agree play is an essential part of childhood. Outdoor play has potential to help children develop physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. However, children develop at different rates, and the outdoor area should not be a “one size fits all” space.

What is outdoor play?

Outdoor play time in early childhood programs, schools, and other youth serving organizations may be one of the first independent social experiences for children. Well-planned outdoor play areas offer children opportunities to play alone or with other children.

Why are playgrounds important?

Playgrounds are a fun way for children to develop intellectually. Playgrounds offer opportunities to learn problem solving skills, explore, and manipulate items. The outdoor learning area offers a different dynamic to learning than indoor spaces.

What is a well designed play area?

Appropriately designed play areas allow children to foster experiences that build self-confidence. Parents and teachers can help nurture positive emotional development by observing children as they play and encouraging each child as they explore and try new skills.

Is outdoor play a one size fits all space?

However, children develop at different rates, and the outdoor area should not be a “one size fits all” space. In order to maximize the developmental benefit children get during outdoor play, the play area should carefully plan for developmentally appropriate outdoor learning environments.

What is the evidence supporting OLE! Texas?

OLE! Texas is based on the Preventing Obesity by Design (POD) model. Higher physical activity levels and a 22 percent reduction in sedentary behavior among preschoolers is associated with the POD model. View the article, Childcare Outdoor Renovation as a Built Environment Health Promotion Strategy: Evaluating the Preventing Obesity by Design Intervention, [pdf] published in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

What is OLE! Texas and why is it important?

Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE!) Texas is a statewide initiative that promotes healthful, nature-based outdoor spaces at early childcare and education (ECE) programs. A healthful outdoor environment helps preschool children be more physically active while they play, discover, and connect with nature.

Natural Environments Under The National Quality Framework

Designing An Outdoor Environment

• Educators need to consider various aspects of design when developing an outdoor space to ensure it is accessible for all children. A good design will offer children choice and promote enough challenge for children to engage in considered risk-taking while balancing the need for safety. Natural play spaces offer children a unique opportunity for con...

See more on esb.sa.gov.au

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