Outdoor Classroom Day on 7th November celebrates and inspires play and learning outside the classroom. It gives Teachers, Educators and Children an opportunity to spend the day learning outside. On the day, thousands of schools and early learning services around the world take lessons outdoors and prioritise playtime.
For those regularly take children outdoors already it's a celebration of what you're already doing and act as a catalyst for more outdoor time every day.
Outdoor learning improves children’s health, engages them with learning and leads to a greater connection with nature. Play not only teaches critical life skills such as resilience, teamwork and creativity but is central to children’s enjoyment of childhood.
Belonging, Being and Becoming, the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia examines the practice of early childhood pedagogy and the role that good learning environments play in teaching. ‘Playspaces in natural environments include plants, trees edible gardens, sand, rocks, mud, water and other elements from nature. These spaces invite open-ended interactions, spontaneity, risk-taking, exploration, discovery and connection with nature. They foster an appreciation of the natural environment, develop environmental awareness and provide a platform for ongoing environmental education.
Current research clearly shows that natural environments and outdoor play are beneficial to children in many ways. Playing outdoors is important for developing capacities for creativity, symbolic play, problem-solving and intellectual development. Outdoor play has clear physical benefits for developing children including helping children to acquire gross motor skills, eye-hand coordination and helping to prevent obesity. Sensory stimulation derived from interacting with natural environments allows children to learn with all of their senses. These senses include seeing, hearing, touching and smelling. It is well known that physical activity is beneficial for children in many ways. In a recent review of the literature concerning children outdoors, Munoz examines research linking time spent outdoors to increased physical activity, healthy development and overall well-being. Research also shows that children who have trouble concentrating benefit from playing outdoors, as after playing outdoors these children are better able to concentrate on tasks.
Join a worldwide movement standing up for outdoor learning and setting an example to others that outdoor play matters.
To ger involved, find out more information and to sign up your service: Outdoor Classroom Day
References:
Get Involved - Outdoor Classroom Day Australia
Outdoor Classroom Day - A Global Campaign To Celebrate Outdoor Learning And Play, Aussie Childcare Network, 31 October 2018