Outdoor Classroom Learning Environment

1. Outdoor Classroom Learning Environment St. Jerome Early Childhood Center Stephanie Martin Adriana Ruan Denise Roach

2. The natural environment serves as a restoration agent with children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder Faber & Kuo, 2009

3. Where we began our Outdoor Classroom journey... • Our staff attended the NAEYC conference where we were introduced to the staff of All Saints School located in Winter Park. • We began discussing the possibility of adding an outdoor classroom to our campus. • We visited All Saints School where they welcomed us to take pictures, ask questions, and observe the children working in their outdoor classroom.

4. What We Added to Create the Physical Space • New shed installed for storage • Fence extended to create a 27’x 45’ space for the Outdoor Classroom • Trimmed surrounding trees • Staff, families, and community volunteers worked on outdoor classroom projects • Established a water source for sinks, hose, drinking fountain, and water play/mud kitchen areas • Chose an entryway with an arbor and wrought iron fencing • Added a covered structure, a pergola, to create a gathering space • Planned a dedication ceremony during Catholic Schools’ Week

5. Our teachers were inspired to create and cultivate an outdoor classroom environment where we can take all areas of our curriculum outdoors among God’s beautiful gifts of nature.

6. Research that Supports Children’s Need for Nature Research shows regular time in nature…. • Facilitates better social and physical development • Improves fitness, motor-skills and well-being • Supports creativity and imaginative play • Inspires collaboration and reduces violence and bullying • Reduces stress • Creates feelings of empathy for nature, the first step toward developing the next generation of environmental stewards

7. Benefits of the Outdoor Classroom Physical: • An increase in physical development, capability, and activity • Setting up patterns for an active, healthy lifestyle • Fewer children suffering from diseases such as obesity, Diabetes, and ADD/ADHD

8. Cognitive: • Stronger language, problem-solving, and communication skills through projects and group activity • Developing an interest in science and math through connecting with nature • Fostering learning through self-initiation, control, and personal responsibility

9. Psychological: • Happier • Higher, more positive self-esteem • Effective relationship building in a cooperative, non-competitive environment • Building a healthy and balanced internal psychology from time spent alone • Manifesting classroom harmony • Social-emotional mastery

10. Understanding: • Familiarity with and appreciation of nature • Wide, expansive view of how the world works • Building stewardship skills for the environment

11. Students who experience an outdoor learning environment tend to be more attentive listeners • Consistent exposure to nature decreases stress and anxiety • Children tend to have too much exposure to screen time which could result in many physical, academic, and psychological disorders • Exposure to sunlight found in nature helps to develop vision Source: Learning Liftoff March 2017

12. Supporting Whole-Child Development Dimensions Foundation research shows regular time in Nature Explore classrooms… Development and learning across the curriculum including: • Critical thinking and problem solving • Science • Language and Literacy • Math • Visual-spatial learning • Construction and engineering skills (A Post-Occupancy Study of Nature-Based Outdoor Classrooms in Early Childhood Education (2014) by Dennis, S.F., Wells, A., & Bishop, C. Children, Youth and Environments 24 (2):35-52.)

13. How to Fund this New Space • Apply for grants, like Project Learning Tree Seminar $1,000 • Incentives and matching funds • Community outreach agencies like the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service • Workday with families, staff, and community volunteers

14. Repurposing and Upcycling • Thrift stores • The Dollar Store • Garage sales • Check storage closets, sheds, and cabinets • Home improvements stores where they have extra cut wood or pvc pipes • Request donations, even building materials like tree stumps or ground cover • Ask your families

15. Marketing Promoting, advertising, and a creating a recognizable feature of your program St. Petersburg College Department of Education featured our Outdoor Classroom in their marketing campaign A book was created to document our journey and a copy was sent to our funding source • Promoting • Advertising • Notable feature of your program

16. Come to St. Jerome ECC and Explore! Our Diocesan Superintendent, Dr. Ann Davis, spent some time engaging with the children. Mary Ann Goodrich, VPK Regional Facilitator, visited and engaged with children and staff and subsequently wrote an article about St.Jerome ECC’s Outdoor Classroom.

17. Florida Learning & Developmental Standards Scientific Inquiry

18. Gardening ‘By giving children frequent opportunities to play outdoors in plant-rich settings, teachers prepare children to recognize, appreciate, and reap the benefits of the natural beauty in our world throughout their lives. We have only to step outside of the classroom door to pique children’s curiosity and take learning to a new level.’ (Dimensions Magazine) A garden for children to plant flowers, herbs, and plants is another must-have. Some ready to plant kits are: EarthBox Early Site Pack and Ready to Grow Base Kit.

19. Mathematical Thinking Use natural objects, such as acorns to work on subitising, twigs to address the skill of seriations, number puzzles for numeral awareness, and pegboards to practice geometric shapes.

20. Creative Expression Through the Arts • Use pots and pans zip-tied to fencing to create a music wall • Find thrift store scarves, extra jingle bells, and old windchimes

21. Visual Art • Repurpose an old easel hung with zip ties along the fencing • Fill wicker baskets with extra art supplies

22. Language and Literacy • Build vocabulary by labeling centers, hanging cardstock with a word and picture, or writing down new words • Create a quiet reading corner with mosquito netting, blankets, or maybe an old tree stump • Use old clipboards, notebooks, and drawing utensils to encourage emergent writing skills

23. Physical Development and Approaches to Learning • Move large blocks, old boxes, and extra storage bins outside • Add measuring tools, ramps, and pvc pipes • The extra space, fencing, even ground cover will extend this work • Props like trucks, manipulatives, and collected natural materials will enhance the experience

24. Social Studies and Social Emotional Development • All experiences overlap developmental domains, but dramatic play enhances social emotional development • Children can take on a variety of roles in a natural setting

25. Sensory Integration • Studies show too much screen time can damage the brain (Mental Wealth, February 2014) • We as educators can combat that damage with sensory-rich experiences

26. We Invite You to Come Play

27. 10895 Hamlin Blvd, Largo 727-596-9491 www.stjeromeearlychildhoodcenter.org preschool@stjeromeecc.org

28. Resources and References Publications Natural Playscapes: Creating Outdoor Play Environments for the Soul by Rusty Keeler Designs for Living and Learning, Transforming Early Childhood Environments Learning with Nature Idea Book, Creating Nurturing Outdoor Spaces for Children, National Arbor Day Foundation Ramps & Pathways, Rheta Devries and Christina Sales, NAEYC Publication Product Catalogs Nature Explore (info@@natureexplore.org) – Products, Designs, Certify Classrooms, Online sessions. Community Playthings (communityplaythings.com) Lakeshore Learning (LakeshoreLearning.com)

29. Resources and References The Outdoor Classroom Project:http://outdoorclassroomproject.org/about/the-outdoor-classroom/ Creating an Outdoor Classroom https://www.plt.org/educator-tips/creating-an-outdoor-classroom-things-to-consider/ Outdoor Classrooms https://www.schooloutfitters.com/learning-environment/21st-century-learning-spaces/21st-century-outdoor-classroom?kw_cid=%2Boutdoor%20%2Bclassroom&sc_ cid=%2Boutdoor%20%2Bclassroom-PPCSEARCH-e-78271502661294-SOMLONG1005932-(Outdoor)Classroom-21stCentury-MSN Benefits of Outdoor Learning https://www.schooloutfitters.com/article/6-unique-benefits-of-outdoor-learning Developing an Outdoor Classroom https://www.kaplanco.com/ii/developing-outdoor-classroom Seeding Square – Grow Your Own Food– www.seedingsquare.com(products to purchase and videos to view on gardening with children)