OUT DOOR LEARNING SPACES

SCDSB has 87 elementary schools with an enrolment of 34,500 pupils of which 6,600 are kindergarten students. The SCDSB has an action plan focusing on all of our schools to introduce outdoor kindergarten learning areas.

Typically kindergarten yards have been fenced areas with asphalt for play. When Full-Day Early Learning - Kindergarten was introduced, two very important facts surfaced immediately.

The first was logistical, as the fenced areas would not be able to accommodate the increased kindergarten population.

Secondly, with outdoor education embedded into the curriculum, how would these environments enable educators flexibility to engage our youngest learners through an inquiry based model.

These two simple facts resulted in the SCDSB to actively create outdoor spaces at all schools, focusing on children's emotional, physical and social development. The outdoor spaces ensure that students develop an appreciation for their environment at a very young age, providing lifelong lessons and fostering stewardship of our world.

“…use appropriate spaces for a range of activities in the outside play area…”Full-Day Early Learning – Kindergarten Program , page 35

The primary focus is the physical, emotional and educational components for our youngest learners. Play based environments enable children to explore and understand their surroundings. Our outdoor spaces are an extension of the indoor classroom.

To this end, the Simcoe County District School Board is very excited to unveil an outdoor curriculum resource for FDK educator teams to provide suggestions and guidance to begin the wonderful journey of incorporating the out of doors into everyday learning.

Benefits of outdoor play Children are more spontaneous and energized, those more

inhibited inside might display more confidence outside

Less rules to remember

All senses are being used

Risk taking

Fine and Gross Motor Skills

Problem Solving

Thinking

Higher levels of Vitamin D are associated with lower risk for multiple sclerosis, breast cancer and colon cancers, juvenile and adult-onset diabetes as well as lower rates of cardio-vascular disease (Dietze, 2012)

We Embraced the Learning

Outdoor Education Professional Development Develop Curriculum Guide

In Service Days

Professional Learning Communities

Outdoor Environmental Technician50 minute visits with each FDK classroom1 day inquiry with release time for

1 FDK team/ 1 primary division educator/Before and After Care Supervisor

Sessional outdoor conferences

Environmental Talks videos

The Outdoor Learning Document

In collaboration between Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten educators and the program consultant, this document was created to support teams in moving the learning outdoors.

A colour, hard copy version has been provided to every FDEL-K class, and an electronic version is available on our staff website.

Classroom Support