PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Outdoor Adventures
Once a week , the lucky children in the Early Learning Centre ( ELC ) can be found exploring the almost 100 hectares of land on which our school stands .
We pull on our gum boots and raincoats and load up our wagon with our cameras , mark making tools , jars and other important paraphernalia , and off we go on our outdoor adventures . We set off with excitement , energy and enthusiasm to explore , learn and experience the great outdoors together .
Early in 2016 , the entire Early Learning Centre ( ELC ) staff attended an inspiring Professional Development Session run by Kirsty Liljegren , Director of Early Learning at Cornish College in Melbourne . She spoke of her experience in running a Great Outdoors program at Cornish College . We were so inspired by the idea that we decided to embark on our own Outdoor Adventures .
Our pedagogy is based on our belief that children learn by doing , using real materials . The environments and explorations are real life and not in preparation for life . Our highly valued play-based pedagogy recognises that exploration and playful learning is the most effective learning style for young children . This approach encourages investigation , exploration and inquiry . It fosters and develops the important skills of questioning , hypothesising , researching and utilising their emerging literacy and numeracy skills to problem solve . We encourage childchosen exploration and teacher observation and scaffolding to ensure playful learning occurs at all times . ELC Outdoor Adventures allow us put this ‘ best practice ’ into action perfectly .
To compliment this pedagogy and support our Reggio inspired environments , we provide a range of natural materials in the classroom and in our ELC playground for the children to explore . These materials are often collected during our weekly Outdoor Adventures .
“ Our very youngest children are part of nature and have a natural connection to it . We have a role to enable that connection to happen throughout their lives .” – Claire Warden ( 2007 )
Journal of Awe and Wonder
The natural environment on which our school is built provides the children with unique learning opportunities . The time the children spend on Outdoor Adventures helps them to develop a sense of WONDER about the natural environment . We hope to foster within each child a desire to EXPLORE and LEARN about the world around us and to PROTECT and CARE for that world .
The staff of the ELC encourage and support our students in this environment . We actively question , observe and stimulate the children ’ s interest . We are ready and willing to interact with the children in order to research and provide opportunity .
These adventures allow for uninterrupted exploration in order to fully investigate and follow opportunities . The children get to determine their own learning and the future direction of exploration . They are provided with opportunities to share their learning with their peers and the staff on our adventures . We value and actively encourage group exploration and collaboration .
Our Outdoor Adventures provide our children with many challenges they may not have previously experienced or get to experience within an indoor environment . It is the perfect context for children to develop resilience , solve problems and work cooperatively and creatively . We frequently discuss with the children the dangers of the natural environment and allow them the opportunity to make suggestions about how we might manage these risks . We are encouraging the children to be active risk managers in that environment , looking out for their teachers and peers as well as keeping themselves safe .
Our time spent on Outdoor Adventures also provides the perfect context to implement the curriculum . The children ’ s ideas and discoveries are expanded upon when we return to the classroom . We revisit the learning and develop new and exciting PLODS ( Possible Lines of Development ) through all Learning Areas . Our learning on Outdoor Adventures links directly to the learning within our classroom and to the EYLF ( Early Years Learning Framework ), The WA Curriculum and the General Capabilities . We think of our outdoor environment as an extension of our classroom . In conclusion , we have a wondrous and rich learning space that we are privileged to access on a regular basis .
“ If we really want our children to thrive we need to let their connection to nature nurture them .” – Claire Warden ( 2007 )
Nurture through Nature
Lynn Gass , Pre-Primary Teacher Jo MacLachlan , Kindergarten Teacher Early Learning Centre
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