outdoor learning in an early childhood …...european forest schools since the mid 1900s primarily...

O U T D O O R L E A R N I N G I N A N EARLY CHILDHOOD SETTING

October 2019

INTRODUCTION

Nate Bosch, ASLA, LEED AP, CPSI Landscape Architect

GMB Architecture + Engineering

I’m passionate about the outdoors and how spending time in nature can have a positive impact on learning, development, and our overall wellbeing.

Playing / LearningOutside / InsideUnstructured / Structured Natural / Constructed

Time in nature, whether structured or unstructured, can blur the lines

between play and learning

BENEFITS OF TIME IN NATURE

“Time in nature is not leisure time; it’s an essential investment in our children’s health” - Richard Louv

European Forest SchoolsSince the mid 1900s

Primarily set outdoors Kids are empowered to be facilitators of their education

By the numbers:Denmark: 1 in 10 schools

UK - 150 schoolsGermany - 2,000

Growth in Canada, New Zealand and Australia

TREND 1

Denmark in 10 Schools

UK 150 Schools

Germany2,000 Schools

CanadaGrowth

New ZealandGrowth

AustraliaGrowth

Nature / Outdoor Education in the United States

Richard Louv - Pioneer of connecting back to nature

Children in Nature Network • Greening Schoolyards initatives • Citywide connection of kids to nature

Natural Start Alliance • 66% increase in nature based preschools and kindergartens between 2016-2017

West Michigan- Nature rich community planning including schools and daycare facilities

TREND 2

66% increaseincrease in nature

based preschools & kindergartens

Growth Expanding From Preschool Programming Into K-12

Early childhood and preschool programming is leading the way to nature inclusion in all education

TREND 3

HOW DO WE BRING NATURE TO EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS?

Bringing a structure to the naturalBringing the natural to the structured

Holland, MI

2013: Hamilton Community Schools partnershipConverted single family home served 56 families

2016:300 families attempted to register for 78 available spots

2017: Built new facility, enrollment grew to 176 familes Half day 3-4 year old programming GSRP classes, with 40% families receiving tuition assistance

INCORPORATING NATURE INTO EDUCATION: LITTLE HAWKS

PROJECT SITE

NORTH


123456

7

PARKING & DROP-OFFCOVERED ENTRANCENEW PRESCHOOL BUILDINGNEW NATURE-BASED LEARNING AREANEW RAIN GARDENEXISTING BUILDING: DAYCARE & COMMUNITY SPACEEXISTING POND

1

3

5

4

4

4

4

7

62

2

NOR TH


123456789101112

PARKING & DROP-OFFCOVERED ENTRANCEVESTIBULEMUD ROOMCLASSROOMINDIVIDUAL LEARNINGSTAFF WORK / KITCHENETTETOILETSTORAGESERVICERAIN GARDENNATURE-BASED LEARNING AREA1

78

8

42 3

56

6

5

2

10

11

12

10 10

9

8

9

8

NOR TH


STRATEGIES TO INCORPORATE NATURE IN EDUCATION:

Strategy 1: Nature is the primary classroom • Connecting people to nature as soon as they arrive• Make formal spaces feel informal (playgrounds)• Building is secondary to site



Strategy 2: Maximize Outdoor Experience by Simplifying Indoor

Spaces • Simple spaces inside that promote active learning

• Space Conservation / Smaller footprint• Utility functions can be educational and play spaces

• Mudroom experience

Strategy 3: Holistic Approach to Nature-Based Education

• Natural materials in built environment • Expansive views to outdoor environment• Openness to outside• Natural sunlight / effects on student behavior (south orientation)


Strategy 3: Holistic Approach to Nature-Based Education

• Natural materials in built environment • Expansive views to outdoor environment• Openness to outside• Natural sunlight / effects on student behavior

(south orientation)


5678 143rd Avenue · Holland, MI · 49423 1

Mission

5678 143rd Avenue · Holland, MI · 49423 www.littlehawks.org 2

Philosophy

Curriculum and Instruction

o o o o o o

o

STRATEGIES TO INCORPORATE NATURE IN EDUCATION:Strategy 4: Create Dynamic

Outdoor Environments

• Allow kids to be creators & self-directed• Promote nature inclusion and invite the native (wild) in

• Flexible spaces for educators to engage students• Allow room for the unpredictable

STRATEGIES TO INCORPORATE NATURE IN EDUCATION:Strategy 4: Create Dynamic

Outdoor Environments

• Allow kids to be creators & self-directed• Promote nature inclusion and invite the native (wild) in

• Flexible spaces for educators to engage students• Allow room for the unpredictable

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?“Do what you can, with what you have” - Teddy Roosevelt

outdoor learning in an early childhood …...european forest schools since the mid 1900s primarily...

Documents