The impact of Outdoor Education on Preschool-aged children.

Learning to enjoy nature has a big impact on how preschoolers think, behave, and feel. This is especially important because kids who spend time outdoors are more likely to care about the environment and our planet. Outdoor education is a new way of teaching that helps with giving good education and making people aware of how crucial it is to protect our planet from climate change.

The new edition of the course “Outdoor education for preschool teachers” took place in Tenerife from 25/11/2023 to 1/12/2023.  The participants came from all across Europe, with Guðrún Edda Hannibalsdóttir and Brigitte Bjarnasson from preschool Álfheimar in Iceland, Zornica Tasheva- DR, Silviya Marinova- DR and Galya Zaharieva- SR from Kindergarten Detelina, Vrachesh in Bulgaria, Antonella Amerio and Cinzia Brignone from Istituto Comprensivo Cuneo Oltrestura in Italy, Kommunalområde barnehager from Åsa Camilla Söderstedt Jeanette Gulbrandsen in Norway, Stefania Carboni, Melania Rosita and Consuelo Sartorio from I.C. via Maffi in Italy.

Beginning with the definition of Outdoor Education, we examined the advantages it offers, and participants had the opportunity to talk about their own experiences with teaching in natural settings. Since this course was designed for preschool teachers, attendees also gained insights into the Canarian education system and presented information about their schools to compare various methods and approaches. 

Another segment of the course centered on engaging in activities within a natural setting at nearby Beaches. The participants highly valued the tested games, which sparked inspiration for them to envision and design their own outdoor activities, tailored to meet the needs of their students.

​Participants also gained insights into the significance of preplanning outdoor spaces by familiarizing themselves with the chosen area beforehand to mitigate risks. They had the opportunity to put this into practice in an outdoor setting, identifying key areas such as play zones, potential hazards, and areas for rest. This hands-on experience equipped them with valuable knowledge to organize safe outdoor activities for their students. A visit to a nearby outdoor kindergarten further provided participants with a practical example of efficient outdoor learning, allowing them to observe children engaging with both each other and nature.

The final segment of the course focused on acquiring green skills and integrating them into teaching practices. Participants received theoretical insights on climate change and received tips and tricks on effectively introducing the topic to young children. The session included various games that can be easily incorporated into teaching methods.

Throughout the course, participants had the opportunity to delve into a wide array of activities that they can replicate with their students, emphasizing that learning extends beyond the confines of a traditional classroom setting.

Discover more about this course here.