Cultivating Outdoor Classrooms: Designing and Implementing Child-Centered Learning Environments
“New research strongly suggests that schools that use outdoor classrooms and other forms of nature-based experiential education can result in significant student gains in social studies, science, language arts, and math. Children are more likely to invent their own games in green play spaces than they are on flat cement or playing fields. The outdoor classroom can also promote social inclusion, regardless of gender, race, class, or intellectual ability. More research is on the way. Yet, in many legislators’ and even some parents’ eyes, the educational benefits of nature experience barely registers. Eric Nelson is working to change that. Along with other farsighted pioneers, Nelson is a proponent of the outdoor classroom, as well as an early leader promoting on-site company child care. WithCultivating Outdoor Classrooms, he shows in simple, clear, and compelling language how to create an outdoor classroom—and why. He offers moral context and emphasizes education not just for education’s sake, but for the mental and physical health, learning ability, creativity, awe, and wonder of the whole child. Every educator and every parent should read this book.”—Richard Louv, Author ofLast Child in the WoodsandThe Nature Principle“Through this reflective work and its myriad examples including illustrative photographs, resources, and planning tools, Eric Nelson unveils the essential elements for establishing and supporting highly engaging quality outdoor environments for young children. This book provides a developmental framework that early childhood practitioners, administrators, and trainers need to effectively address this extremely important aspect of children’s play and learning.”—Ed Greene, PhD, Senior Advisor of Piramide Approach to Early Learning, Cito USA/Netherlands and Facilitator at JCCEO Head Start Center of Excellence in Birmingham“The outdoor classroom is a healthy, engaging, and creative response to today’s educational challenges.Cultivating Outdoor Classroomsprovides the why and how in an accessible format that any educational leader can use to transform the learning environment at their school site. Photographs, design plans, a defined process of staff engagement, as well as curricular ideas and the information you need to begin this transformation, are all here. Educators would do well to embrace these concepts.”—Renatta M. Cooper, Coauthor ofPlaying to Get Smartand President of the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education“WithCultivating Outdoor Classrooms, there are no more excuses for the same-old, same-old behaviors and routines in early childhood programs. Now, everyone can learn how to build a practical, useful, and exciting outdoor classroom at any site. Preschool children today do not spend nearly enough quality time playing outdoors—not at home, and not in school. Denying children ample outdoor playtime has developmental and academic consequences.Cultivating Outdoor Classroomshighlights these risks, and gives solid evidence for the value of time spent outside playing. Eric’s enthusiasm for the outdoors and for giving children the opportunity to learn in nature is translated into a text that is meaningful for everyone who works with young children. Pages of wonderful photographs help to inspire ideas and give concrete examples for easy steps teachers can take today toward changing spaces and making outdoor learning accessible for children in school programs.Cultivating Outdoor Classroomsis both a foundational how-to book for educators taking their first steps toward the joy of working with children outdoors, and, for more experienced educators, a confirmation of their best practices. This book inspires me to continue working with teachers, parents, and other school directors as they explore the possibilities of creating outdoor classrooms at their school sites!”—Sheryl E. Cohen, PhD, Director of Stephen S. Wise Temple Early Childhood Center, President of BJE-Early Childhood Director’s Network, and Vice President Programming of the National Jewish Early Childhood Network“Eric Nelson understands the profound benefits children gain from daily access to natural outdoor classrooms. His comprehensive and thoughtful book outlines practical strategies for making this wonder-filled learning a way of life in early childhood programs.Cultivating Outdoor Classroomswill support and inspire teachers and administrators as they begin an exciting journey toward a fulfilling new way of working with children. Research continues to show the adverse effects of children’s disconnection from nature and the positive gains possible when daily nature connections are supported by caring, engaged adults. The ideas in this book are needed today more than ever.”—Nancy Rosenow, Coauthor ofLearning With Nature Idea Bookand Executive Director of Dimensions Educational Research Foundation/Nature Explore