The impact of Outdoor Education on Preschool children

Exposure to nature has a significant influence on the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional development of preschoolers. This is particularly crucial in light of climate change, as children raised with a connection to the outdoors are more likely to develop a sense of care for the environment and the planet. Outdoor education is a forward-thinking teaching method that allows educators to tackle two of today's most pressing issues: delivering high-quality, long-term education and fostering awareness about the need to protect our planet amid the growing threat of climate change.
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The new edition of the course “Outdoor education for preschool teachers” took place in Tenerife from 28/07/2024 to 03/08/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Teodora and Tsvetomira Georgieva from Bulgaria, Zsófia and Csilla from Hungary and Joanna from Poland.

Beginning with the definition of Outdoor Education, we explored and discussed its numerous benefits, allowing participants to share their own experiences with teaching in natural settings. Since this course was specifically designed for preschool teachers, participants also learned about the Italian education system and exchanged presentations about their own schools to compare different methods and approaches.

Another key part of the course focused on practicing activities in a natural environment, specifically in a local park. The games tested were highly appreciated and inspired participants to imagine and plan their own outdoor activities, tailoring them to the needs of their students.

Participants also gained insight into the importance of outdoor space planning, learning to familiarize themselves with the environment in advance to reduce risks. They practiced this by identifying key features of the outdoor space, such as interesting spots, potentially hazardous areas, and designated play and rest zones. This hands-on approach provided practical knowledge for planning safe outdoor activities for their pupils. A visit to a local outdoor kindergarten offered participants a valuable example of outdoor learning in action, as they observed children interacting with each other and nature in a well-organized setting.

The final part of the course focused on teaching green skills and integrating them into classroom instruction. Participants learned theoretical aspects of climate change and gained practical tips on introducing this topic to young children through engaging games and activities.
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Throughout the course, participants were exposed to a wide range of activities that they can replicate with their students, demonstrating that learning is not confined to the classroom!

Discover more about this course here.