There are many
approaches to any of these scenarios. These are some sample thoughts and
considerations. Ultimately, you all will find what works best for you with your
personalities, the children in your care, and the current state of the space.
Try to say yes as often as possible, being aware of safety concerns and ways to
support the children in their play and learning.
PROTOCOL | POLICY | PROCEDURE
1.
How
do we keep children engaged while doing a lesson outside? What should we do
with bikes? The sandbox?
Think about what is
developmentally appropriate for this age group. Choice is optimal for them and
they will most likely not sit still for long periods of time, as you know. Try
a blanket to define the space you want them on and/or use your gathering area
before sending children out to more free choice time. Also, try a more “informal”
approach to lessons, working with smaller groups around the space rather than
with all students together. Keep
the trikes up and sandbox covered during this "instructional" time, if needed.
2.
How
can we develop a protocol for children to gather and come in?
Choose a signal that works
for you, just as you would in the indoor classroom. It may be a bell, song, birdcall,
or a horn that is blown. Train children to pick up some needed items before
heading in. You may consider making this a unique call for this special time to
gather and come in.
3.
How
do you manage different age groups using building materials?
(particularly after school care)
Make sure there are enough
spaces and materials for all. It seems as though building is happening outside
this area, which gives more space. The children will interact differently with
the materials. The biggest issue I usually see is the destruction of what
others have made. Perhaps have a class meeting if this is happening with the
afterschool care to look at options of how to use this space without destroying
work done by others. What are you experiencing?
4.
What
are some good guidelines for outdoor activities?
(using existing hill, sandbox, dry creek bed)
The areas are designed
specifically for use with the children. There are a few safety concerns, such
as riding a trike down the hill or throwing sand, but otherwise the area should
be a place where children can learn and take appropriate risks. What safety
concerns are you noting that need to be addressed? Can they be dealt with on an
individual level with the child and/or is it a bigger issue that should be
addressed with the larger group in a class meeting setting.
5.
What
are some good rules on the use of the property? How do we best teach these
guidelines?
My typical inclination is to
say yes as often as possible; however, there are safety concerns in any space.
As educators, we need to provide for that safety. Will the action harm the
child or the materials? Use language to redirect and help children think
through the consequences and cautions of the activity. Some specific rules
and/or parameters may need to be made, such as how you put the logs as bumpers
for the hill and the walk leading back to the building.
6.
How
do we strike a balance between enforcing guidelines and allowing freedom of
use? (trikes, tires)
Obviously the trikes have
some safety guidelines, such as going in the same direction, watching for
people crossing the path (and vice versa), and not going down the hill. Some
“guidelines” may be less enforced depending on the amount of children and
activity level in the outdoor classroom at the time. Keep safety in mind, yet
realize that many of the risks they take with these materials is
developmentally appropriate play.
7.
What
are good rules for use of the slides?
What makes sense for you all?
Does there need to be a rule? In general, in larger groups children go down the
slide with no one at the bottom of the slide. With smaller groups near the slide,
it may be safe to use the slides in a different manner. Teach children how to
navigate the risk.
See Question 15. Are there
pesticides applied to the fruit that needs washed off first? Would you like
the children to wait until the fruit is ready to eat?
Otherwise, children will be trying to eat earlier in the season. I like
the idea of eating from the garden/orchard with supervision so adults are aware
of what children are eating in case there are issues. This doesn’t mean there
can never be any eating, but that it’s a judgment call of the adult. While I
try to say yes as often as possible, there may be times when it will not be an
appropriate time to eat from the orchard.
9.
What
is too much of a mess? How to manage clean up of messy materials?
Are there designated spaces
for messy materials? Give a signal for clean up time with some children needing
more time than others. Procedures you use for cleaning up in the classroom
should also work outside, though something that makes more noise to get the
children’s attention may be helpful.
10.
How
can we best enforce “put away” method so that it works all day long with
repeated use in the outdoor space?
Perhaps try for extended periods
outside as much as possible so there are fewer “put away” times needed
throughout the day.
11.
Who
is going to be (or will there be) and outdoor environment coordinator?
Having an outdoor environment
coordinator can be a great way to manage the space, realizing that everyone on
the team has responsibilities for and investment in the outdoor space.
12.
Do
dishes, soccer items, etc. get returned to the storage room after each class is
finished?
I am not opposed to leaving
things out; however, what does this say to the children about cleaning up?
Perhaps they bring things to the central location for all soccer items (wagon?)
so there is some gathering of supplies and they are ready for the next group.
If you have large times between your groups and are having issues with
outsiders (though I know it is closed), you may consider putting the items away
between groups.
13.
Is
sledding allowed on the building side (SW) hill?
I suggest no as it goes so close to
the building; however, if it seems like the group can do it safely, it
shouldn’t be an issue. It's great you already have a designated space you already use would be
helpful.
14.
Who
should oversee weeds in the butterfly garden or garden spaces?
Can the children be trained
in weeds of these areas and it becomes a class stewardship project? Do you have
a group that volunteers with the church and/or master gardeners that may help
with this? Will a teacher take on this as a responsibility and host a family
weeding afternoon? Often a few minutes a day while already outside can make a huge difference.
What a great connection to
food! Any allergies to be aware of? Are you hoping to have a large “harvest”?
Maybe make it a “with permission” type of policy, having children ask you if
it’s okay first so there is some oversight of the use of garden food; however,
children will learn over time when it is okay to eat out of the garden.
16.
Does
sand stay in the sandbox or can it get carried in buckets across the playground
and dumped behind the house?
It sounds like this has
happened. It’s nice to keep sand where it “belongs” but neat to see the natural
tendency to transport. Are there other things they might transport?
17.
Do
building materials stay in the building area?
For the most part, yes, but
occasional use outside of the area shouldn’t be of concern. Is there another
area that needs more materials outside of the building area? If children are
naturally using materials in a different space, consider following their lead
and having the materials available in that area.
NATURE EXPLORATION | EDUCATION
1.
How
do we handle bees?
If there is a known allergy,
have an epipen handy. There are many insects beyond bees which may sting, but
generally they only sting when agitated. If there are wasp nests right where children play,
these may need to be removed. For the most part, if children (and adults) can
be calm when they encounter a bee, there are few issues. If there is a bee
sting, provide proper first aid, scraping the stinger off near the skin rather
than plucking it out.
2.
What
are some ways to identify natural objects within the Outdoor Classroom? How do
we share them with children? Should information be posted?
Use guidebooks and
identification groups for help learning what they are. Not everything needs to
be named. Set up a “nature center” area where children are the collectors and
curators. Minilessons and informal information can be used to help discuss and
notice nature in the space. Information can be posted, if desired.
3.
How do
we use the seasons to expand outdoor activities and help children learn nature
more fully throughout the year?
Seasonal celebrations
(equinoxes), full moons, nature related holidays listed in Growing Up Wild,
etc.
Free
roaming outdoor time is good! It may take some time to practice having more
direct or inquiry based lessons outside. Lessons do not have to include the
whole group.
4.
What
is the plan for the structure that is the worm farm? We noticed kids were
piling rocks and climbing in it.
If it’s not being used as a
worm farm, could it be used for something else, such as mud? Maybe it becomes an outdoor sensory bin?
5.
What
trees are on our playground?
Let’s make a map and use
leaves, a tree dichotomy (ID key), field guides, bark, and branch structure to
get to know our trees better!
6.
What
insects are native to our area?
Lots! You don’t have to know
all the insects right now. As the children find various insects, use field
guides and Insect ID groups in Facebook to learn more about them. It’s okay to
not know everything about them right now. Build knowledge as the insectsare
encountered.
7.
What
is the best way to care for and utilize the butterfly garden?
It sounds like it is being
redone. Choose plants suited for the soil in that area that are native to the
area.
8.
How
can our wagons and wheelbarrow be incorporated in the outdoor classroom?
Children naturally transport
items as part of play. Are these available for moving building materials?
9.
Can
children bring nature in? They want to bring in sticks, rocks, acorns to bring
home.
Children have a natural
tendency to collect “treasures”. This will need to be something you decide as a
group; however, replenishing nature enough to have a little extra allows
children to follow their natural tendencies to some degree. If you choose not to
allow children to bring treasures inside consider having a collection spot or
basket near the gate before you leave the space for items children may be
bringing back with them.
10.
What
kind of loose parts do we need to more fully use the space?
You have a great base in your
area with water, sand, natural vegetation, and building materials. Think of
seasonal items that might be included throughout the year, such as pumpkins,
cornstalks, etc. Observe how children are using the space. What loose parts do
they need to support the play they are engaged in?
11.
What
are some good resources for us to be able to plan for the outdoor space better?
Map your space and plan your
outdoor area just as you might your indoor areas while planning through your
emergent curriculum. Think of the natural rhythms of the space as nature
progresses through the year. What might children be interested in as the
seasons change? What seasonal items might be a part of your natural learning?
Regularly review maintenance plans and evaluate how the space is being used to
guide decisions and inform practice.
12.
How
can we include families in events and workshops that have to do with nature?
Consider a family nature
club, a “linger-longer” after school, create special events to include
families, invite mom or dad to the outdoor classroom for the day, invite
families to stay for a program with naturalists, etc. Build regular time into
the year to meet needs. Workshops can be built around practical themes to
include children and the families, such as gardening. Consider partnering with
Unity Gardens and other area resources for additional resources.
13.
How
about celebrations, like International Mud Day? How do we do this?
These special celebrations
could be outside of the school day as a special time to celebrate with
families. Water and soil are the two main components needed for International
Mud Day; however, there are special activities that could be used in each area.
14.
What
is lacking to more fully support nature play with our outdoor classroom?
Do teachers and children have
access to needed tools? Field guides, magnifying glasses, collecting jars, etc.
can help explore nature more fully.
How is the maintenance
schedule working? What needs refreshed and renewed?
