Nature and outdoor play for our youngest children is diminishing
in some areas and flourishing in others. Parents fear taking their children to
parks due to crime, drugs, broken equipment and not enough time. Some schools
are so focused on the academics that children do not get to spend that much
time outside. Other schools are establishing an area at that is considered nature based, while brand
new school are being built around a nature theme approach. Some of the benefits
of outdoor play are social, cognitive, emotional, and language skills. Children
learn mathematics operations, science inquiry, and physical development
.
The blog that I chose, Let
the Children Play has influenced the way I use the outdoor environment to
teach. I have started to incorporate many of their ideas with my students. Some
of their ideas are so simple. Of course you do need some supplies, but most of
them are recyclable’s that you can ask families to donate.
We have planted beans, cilantro, sunflowers, and other
vegetables using plastic bottles and I have saved a pallet that I am going to
ask parents to paint and turn it into a raft or quiet area for the children.
My three year old students are learning; to count, about the
plant cycle, about the sun, water, rain and their benefits, language, and
socialization skills.
Questions for
thought:
What can you do for children who are allergic to grass or
pollen?
Do you feel that it is okay for children to go outside for a
walk in light rain if properly dressed?
Is it okay to let children go barefoot outside is dirt or
sand?
What do you say to your administrators when you want to
spend more time outside teaching than inside?
Blog
www.letthechildrenplay.net
