On November 8, our Early Childhood team proudly presented at the National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) 2024 Annual Conference in Anaheim. With over 8,000 participants and hundreds of informative sessions, this is the world's largest gathering of early childhood professionals.
Mr. Royer, our Outdoor Classroom and Atelier Coordinator, and Dr. Coates Smith, our Director of Early Childhood, engaged an audience of over 160 educators in a standing-room-only session, highlighting the transformative benefits of outdoor learning.
Outdoor classrooms foster cooperation, problem-solving, and social-emotional growth, encouraging children to appreciate and care for their environment. This growth is evident as our students play, interact, and explore.
Studies overwhelmingly show that time outdoors reduces stress, improves attention, and supports physical and cognitive development. By nurturing curiosity and respect for nature, our Outdoor Classroom helps children build a foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.
Gillispie’s Outdoor Classroom reflects our dedication to hands-on, sensory-rich education. Inspired by Reggio Emilia philosophy, we began reimagining our playground as a learning environment in 2008, with major upgrades completed in 2009, 2017, and 2019. Each step has reinforced our commitment to nature-based learning, where play and exploration are essential tools for growth.
Since their presentation, Mr. Royer and Dr. Coates Smith have been fielding questions about outdoor spaces, as well as requests for more information, meetings, and campus tours. The feedback from their presentation has been tremendous. Gillispie’s approach continues to inspire educators nationwide, positioning our school at the forefront of innovative early childhood education.