Bring the Learning Outside
More and more schools are seeing the benefits of outdoor learning and how outdoor classrooms have much to offer their pupils. Combined with sensory playgrounds and modern school playground equipment the way children are learning is developing a more naturalistic approach. Also incorporated into this type of learning is the material used for such ventures, with environmental products and eco-friendly playground designs at the forefront.
The outdoor classrooms can be open aired and surrounded by plants and wind chimes to covered areas, so the learning can happen in either rain or sunshine. These types of learning areas are ideal for story times, learning about nature and how children can interact with wildlife. They are great for places for children to explore their imagination, with the aid of the teacher’s tutorage, the pupils can learn how we as humans affect the environment and how steps can be made to minimise out impact.
Aside from outdoor classrooms another important learning area is the use of modern school playground equipment, this can be utilised for PE lessons and also for playtime. There are playground suppliers who provide play equipment for use within these areas; they tend to come under the name of multi-use such as multi use games areas (MUGA) or multi-activity areas. They are a combination of football, basketball, netball and skill games, ideally suited to outdoor learning and provide much entertainment during playtime.
The MUGA can also be provided in eco-friendly materials and the use of recycled steel is put to good use, children can also be taught about the where their play and learning equipment has come from, giving another benefit to informing children about the impact of how people can reduce their impact of the environment.
Of course there is the question of price, how can schools afford to change the way they teach children within this economic climate. Thankfully, there is funding available for such projects and any reputable outdoor classroom and school playground equipment supplier will be able to provide this information or point the school in the right direction to seek playground funding.
Outdoor learning is more than just about getting outside; it is about interacting with nature, inspiring creativity within children and helping the environment by use of green playground solutions and eco-friendly playground equipment.
Written by Pete Tooley, a former teacher who now designs outdoor play areas for schools using eco-friendly school playground equipment. The use of outdoor classrooms can have amazing results and a opens up a whole a new way of teaching.
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