Fighting ADHD, Nature Deficit Disorder and over-use of technology – by having children to engage with their surroundings. Compiled by Henricus Peters, NAEEUK Co-Chair
Every program of early care and education has an outdoor environment and some outdoor activities – but often not enough.
The Outdoor Classroom Project, conducted by the Child Educational Center (CEC), was initially funded from 2003 to 2008 by First 5 LA, in Los Angeles County, to disseminate the philosophy and practice of outdoor programming and environments as critical elements of a quality program of early care and education.
Its primary focus is now in Santa Barbara County, supported through the Orfalea Fund. Grounded in a century of theory, practice and research, this project was developed in response to the dramatic deterioration of children’s outdoor activity in contemporary America.
The goal of the Outdoor Classroom is to increase the quantity, quality and benefit of children’s outdoor experience.View or download the Outdoor Classroom Project summary flyer.
The comprehensive Outdoor Classroom model addresses at least seven of the critical issues facing young children today:
- Lack of exercise.
- Preoccupation with electronic media.
- Lack of safe places to play outside.
- Isolation and fear of nature.
- Lack of interest in and understanding of our world including nature and human impact on it.
- Current trends toward a one dimensional approach to early childhood education.
- The epidemic use of behavior-modifying drugs on young children.
- http://www.orfaleafoundation.org/focus-areas/early-childhood-education/outdoor-classroom
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- the garden classroom: 52 kids gardening activities (nurturestore.co.uk)
- Ideas For Taking the Classroom Outdoors (tutoringtoexcellence.blogspot.com)
- D.C. Health Officials Attempt To Remove Animals From Classrooms (washington.cbslocal.com)
- Guest Post: No Crayons In Sight (thesaltlick.tv)
- Children participating more in outdoor recreation, but South lags behind (al.com)
- Outdoor classroom enhanced by students pavilion project (omaha.com)
- Easing the Transition to a New Classroom or Program (4cchildcareexpert.wordpress.com)
- Homegrown: Nature Explore Classroom (thegazette.com)
- From Organic Veg to Solar Panels: One School’s Eco-Journey (tutoringtoexcellence.blogspot.com)
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