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From the sessions, I do realised that’s it is important to educate both educators as well as parents on outdoor learning. We could be sharing with them the  benefits of outdoor learning. How outdoor learning could not only improve children’s physical development but also helped them to improve their concentration etc.

Outdoor learning might not be just conducting gross motor skills lessons, it could also be going on a nature walk around the school or neighbourhood to increase children’s environmental awareness. This could also slowly nurture a curious child. Hence, leading to asking questions to find out more. (Life-long learning attitude that they could achieved throughout their life)

Recently, I went for a sharing, some educators also shared that they had fun bringing materials outside to explore with children. E.g. clay. They invited the children to use the clay to create what they saw in a park. It was interesting, because through these activity, the educator got to know a little more about the children perspective and what they were interested in.

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After attending the first session with the rest of the PASTELs, I would like to have a sharing sessions with my teachers on how to include natural materials in the classroom/learning centres. I also would like to equip teachers with knowledge on the different outdoor activities that they can do in their daily lessons.

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Collecting children's voices during and after playing outdoors was helpful in helping teachers understand what the children like to play with or like to do outdoors. This data is also used when we share with parents about what the children do while outdoors and to also encourage them to come on board in the planning of the outdoor spaces at school.

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Involving teachers in observing how children use the outdoor spaces can impact how these spaces are curated. Teachers of different levels can represent the children by sharing their favourite activities to do outdoors as well as how they like to interact with the varied materials outdoors. This can greatly inform the types of materials, structures, equipment and activities that take place in the outdoor school area.

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It was a fruitful session as PASTELs shared their perspectives and practices in their centres pertaining to outdoor learning. The strategies shared on engaging parents in children’s outdoor learning, the ideas on utilization of outdoor spaces within centres and the importance of integrating outdoor learning as part of the curriculum allows me to reflect on my current practices and think of new ideas to make children’s outdoor learning experiences meaningful and fun.

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Reflection:
Through the first session, i had a better view of the importance of outdoor play in children. This session have motivated me to persevere in doing more outdoor activities with my children.

In addition, I have also learnt from others teachers here of some outdoor activities that they have done with their children and have been wanting to try it out with my children (E.g. Bird watching ).

Recently, i have also carried out messy play (Water Play with corn flour) with my children which they really enjoyed. Through this messy play, children learnt to identify the letters found in the water and they also did pretend play (Pretend to sell ice cream). Most importantly, they learnt to share and communicate with each other.

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I am inspired by the practices shared by our fellow PASTELS during our  first get-together session. I have plans to establish a culture of holistic outdoor learning experiences in my current posting. Currently, I am in the midst of collating doable activity plans (with reference to the Outdoor Learning Guide) for my colleagues to kick-start this learning journey. Following this, I intend to invite our parents and estate neighbours (if possible, as we shared common outdoor spaces) for a sharing session to document this meaningful learning journey.  Fingers crossed and hopeful for the support by all!

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Reflection from First LC:
1. We generally know the benefits of outdoor learning, but motivating teachers to carry it out, and also to intentionally facilitate and role model the sense of wonder & curiosity is the part we'll need to work on
2. Besides teachers, we'll need the support of parents as well. Pre-empting parents that from time to time, children may get mozzie bites/ falls may help manage parent's expectations.

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Reorganising the classroom with outdoor nature materials was a start at my centre.  Teachers have begun to conduct more activities outdoor such as storytelling, games and water play.

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Reflection from First LC
1.  Outdoor learning supports holistic development of children.

2. Outdoor learning involves children in making decision in risk taking.  Children develop self-confidence, resilience, executive functioning skills, etc. when they are involved in risky play.

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Reflection from the first session on 26/5/2022:

Taking small steps and identify gaps to mitigate or implement outdoor learning is important as some teachers in the centre is still not ready and it takes time to change their mindset.
We need to intentionally educate the parents on outdoor learning to also change their views on outdoor learning.

Above is an activity on Scarf Fun that I conducted with the children recently :) Decided to do under the void deck due to the heavy rain.

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Set up various learning spaces at the outdoor area. Allow children to get dirty and messy. Mud play, sensory play with natural materials are easily assessible and can prepare easily.
Invite parents to join in to facilitate the play too!

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Reflection of first Learning Community

1) The use of outdoor spaces that makes a major contribution to physical and environmental education and enhances many other curriculum areas.

2) To identify features of outdoor spaces that help children to learn and design our own safe outdoor space to maximize learning and support engagement.

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a) A trolley of loose parts for teachers to use as a teaching aid or for group activities during lessons.
Loose parts include: recycled materials (bottle caps, toilet rolls, etc), flowers, branches, leaves, pebbles

b) Survey parents on their perspective and experience with outdoor learning with their children. (e.g. how often do you bring your child outdoors, and how long does your child spend outdoors weekly?)
After gathering the data, to generate resources to educate and share with parents on the importance of outdoor learning for children.