Exploring classrooms in nature: The impact of Outdoor Learning Activities for preschoolers

Outdoor education is a progressive teaching approach that not only fosters enduring educational experiences but also supports environmental consciousness. Learning while being around the nature significantly influences the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional growth of preschoolers. This becomes increasingly essential in times of the prevailing climate crisis, as a generation rooted in outdoor experiences is more inclined to become keepers of the environment. It is valuable as a strong tool to address two pressing issues of contemporary society: ensuring enduring educational excellence and developing a generation conscious of the urgent need to protect our planet amidst the threat of climate crisis.

Last week, from 14/04/2024 to 20/04/2024, the new version of our interesting course “Outdoor education for preschool teachers” took place in Palermo. The participants came from all across Europe, with Lupe and Cindia from C.E.B.I.P. Pinar Prados de Torrejón as well as Mary and Ali from Colexio Guillelme Brown coming to us from Spain. Also, Stéphanie from Ecole La Salle in France, Sara and Elina from Vasaramäen päiväkoti in Finland enriched our course. Even Peter from Evanjelická spojená škola in Slovakia showed up again and again.

This course is specially designed for preschool teachers. Participants learned about the Italian education system and presented their own schools to compare their different methods and approaches, conditions and pedagogical foundations. Beginning with the definition for outdoor education, the advantages of outdoor education were analysed and discussed, and participants had the opportunity to share their practices of teaching in nature.

An additional session of the course thematised the exchange of activities in a natural environment in a nearby park. The games were of course tried out and were very well received, inspiring participants to plan their own outdoor activities and adapt them to the needs of their children.

Furthermore, a method was applied to the park we visited the previous day. By familiarising themselves with the chosen area in advance, participants learned the importance of planning the outdoor area to anticipate dangers and minimise risks. This practical approach enabled them to gain useful knowledge to plan a safe outdoor activity for their pupils. In the two places Istituto Internazionale Montessori and Istituto Minutoli, centres for pre-school children with an ecological approach, the participants had the opportunity to observe and record an effective example of outdoor learning and the children's interaction with each other and with nature. In the visit we also met our special guest of the week: Orlando Furioso.

Finally, the workshop focussed on skills for a sustainable approach to nature and their application in the classroom. There was a brief excursion into the theory of climate change and tips on how to introduce the topic to young children, with lots of games that they can put into practice.
In the Outdoor Activity Workshop, participants were able to explore a variety of activities that they can do with their children, showing that learning can also happen outside the classroom walls!

Discover more about this course here.