Students will be engaging in nature-based learning throughout the year. Please ensure your child comes to school with weather appropriate clothing everyday. Keeping extra clothes at school is highly encouraged.
Clothing Items:
- Rain gear (rain jacket, rain pants, boots)
- Hat
- Gloves
- Extra clothing, including socks (this can be left in a bag on your child's cubby hook)
Examples of Activities:
- Nature play
- Nature journaling
- Sound mapping
- Math based activities (e.g. patterning, comparisons)
- Use of observation skills (e.g. seasonal scavenger hunts)
- Nature-based art (e.g. using loose parts found on the forest floor to create an art piece)
- Storytelling
- Running club
- Rain gear (rain jacket, rain pants, boots)
- Hat
- Gloves
- Extra clothing, including socks (this can be left in a bag on your child's cubby hook)
Examples of Activities:
- Nature play
- Nature journaling
- Sound mapping
- Math based activities (e.g. patterning, comparisons)
- Use of observation skills (e.g. seasonal scavenger hunts)
- Nature-based art (e.g. using loose parts found on the forest floor to create an art piece)
- Storytelling
- Running club
Nature Play
The Characteristics of Play: 1. Freely chosen/self-directed 2. Intrinsic motivation 3. Rules are determined by players 4. Imaginative 5. Conducted with an alert and active state of mind Examples include: Climbing, jumping, balancing, hanging upside down, sliding. |
Nature Play Incorporates One or More of the Following Elements:
1. Heights 2. Speed 3. Tools 4. Dangerous Elements 5. Rough and Tumble 6. Getting Lost 7. Impact 8. Vicarious |
The Importance of Play:
Helps with overall healthy development:
To learn more about the importance of play check out Megan Zeni's blog.
Posts to read:
The Benefits of Play
Making Play a Priority
Helps with overall healthy development:
- Social emotional learning
- Self-regulation
- Social skills (problem solving, communication, empathy, etc)
- Physical benefits (fine Moto development, gross motor development)
- Cognitive benefits (brain growth/academic growth, improves problem solving and divergent thinking)
- Risk taking and learning from mistakes
To learn more about the importance of play check out Megan Zeni's blog.
Posts to read:
The Benefits of Play
Making Play a Priority