Outdoor education- a powerful device for Preschool children

​Generations that are raised in the outdoor are more likely to care for the environment and for our planet. Considering that, Outdoor education has not only a considerable impact on the cognitive, behavioural and emotional development of preschoolers, but is especially important for our environment due to the state of climate change. This innovative teaching approach we discussed in our course during the week, offers the possibility to address two of the most important topics of today’s society: providing long-lasting high quality education and raising awareness on the importance of preserving our planet in the face of the daunting threat of climate change.

​The new edition of the course “Outdoor education for preschool teachers” took place in Palermo from 02/03/2025 to 08/03/2025. The participants came from all across Europe, with Sari Huczkowski, Helena Lindström and Susanne Abrahamsson from Luleå Kommun Förskola in Sweden, Kristine Engnes and Anne-Marie Borud Vraalsen from Lillestrøm kommune – Ramstadskogen barnehage in Norway and Siv-Lillian H Amundsen and Andrea Rosendal Pettersen from Lillestrøm kommune – Dalen barnehage ​in Norway.

​First of all, we created a definition of Outdoor Education, then, to dive deeper into the topic, we analysed and discussed the benefits of Outdoor Education and the participants had the chance to share their own experience with teaching in nature. As this course was specifically addressed to preschool teachers, the participants also discovered the Italian education system. Moreover, in order to compare their different approaches, they shared presentations of their own schools.

​Another part of the course was focused on discovering a natural environment in a local park and practicing activities there. After testing some games, challenges and activities, our participants started planning their own outdoor activities, adapting them to the needs of their students.  

​Furthermore, the participants also learnt about the importance of outdoor space planning by discovering selected areas in advance in order to minimize the risks. They identified the most interesting, potentially dangerous, play and rest areas in an outdoor space and created a map out of that knowledge. This hands-on approach allowed them to plan outdoor activities for their pupils in a safer way. By visiting two local outdoor schools, Eco Scuola Montessori and Istituto Minutoli, the participants had the chance to see an efficient example of outdoor learning not only from a practical point of view but also by seeing children interacting between themselves and with nature.

​Finally, the last part of the course was dedicated to learning and applying green skills in their classes. After talking about some theory regarding climate change, the participants practiced games that they can use in order to introduce the topic to young children.

​After this week, the participants were bringing home a lot of new tools and activities that they will be able to replicate with their students, showing that learning doesn’t happen only inside a classroom!

​Discover more about this course here.