The power of Outdoor Education for Preschool children And Innovative teaching methods for preschool teachers

Learning to be around nature has a considerable impact on the cognitive, behavioural and emotional development of preschoolers. This is especially important considering the state of climate change and the fact that a generation that was raised in the outdoor is more likely to care for the environment and for our planet. Outdoor  education is an innovative teaching approach that 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.
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A new edition of the courses "Innovative teaching methods for preschool teachers" and "Outdoor education for preschool teachers" took place in Bologna from 02/03/2025 to 08/03/2025. The participants came from various European countries, including Carolin Lundberg, Erika Jonsson, Linda Kokkonen, and Oskar Nordström from Luleå kommun förskola (Sweden); Pernilla Lundevall, Eva Grönlund, Sara Johansson, Hanna Nystrand, Johanna Bennysdotter, and Anna-Karin Ahlberg from Gävle kommun (Sweden); Nathalie Muller from Chabestan maternelle (France); Klara Bajec from Vrtec Ledina (Slovenia); and Manuela Berruezo Salas and Francisca Fernández Romero from CEIP. Ciudad de Baza (Spain).

The course began with a session dedicated to school presentations, allowing participants to share insights into their institutions and best practices. This session also included an introduction to the Italian preschool model, fostering discussion on different approaches to early childhood education across Europe.

On Tuesday, the group engaged in outdoor activities in Giardini Margherita, experiencing firsthand how nature can enhance the psychophysical well-being of children. The participants explored innovative ways to integrate outdoor education into their curricula, emphasizing the role of nature in fostering motivation, creativity, and stress reduction.
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Wednesday was dedicated to Project-Based Learning (PBL), an innovative teaching method that allows students to delve into content in a meaningful way. By starting from a key question and investigating real-world issues, young learners develop teamwork, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. The course participants had the opportunity to explore various PBL approaches and discuss how to introduce them effectively in preschool education.

On Thursday, the group visited "Naturalmente Bambini," a preschool that exemplifies outdoor education in action. The visit provided valuable insights into how children interact with nature in a structured yet flexible learning environment. Observing the daily activities at the preschool allowed participants to reflect on the benefits of outdoor learning and consider how to implement similar approaches in their own institutions.
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The final day of the course focused on encouraging creativity in the classroom. Through hands-on activities and challenges, participants were inspired to think outside the box and discover innovative ways to nurture children's creativity. By the end of the week, the team spirit was so strong that saying goodbye was difficult. However, everyone left with a wealth of new ideas, motivation, and a strong desire to implement their learnings back home.

This course once again proved that learning doesn’t happen only inside a classroom—especially for the youngest students! Through collaboration, outdoor exploration, and creative methodologies, educators can make learning more engaging and meaningful for their students.

Discover more about this course here.