"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning, but for children, play is serious learning." - Fred Rogers
Gillispie School recently hosted a delegation of 16 educators from the Lycée Français De San Diego to tour our renowned Outdoor Classroom. As a testament to its innovative approach to early childhood education, the Outdoor Classroom has garnered attention.
Highlighting the space's evolution, Mr. Royer explained how the outdoor classroom has transformed and spotlighted the diverse activity areas. From the conveyor belt designed by our third-graders to natural play structures, the Outdoor Classroom offers a variety of learning opportunities.
During the visit, the group saw how our students engage in hands-on learning, physical activity, and social interaction within this unique outdoor space. They observed students freely exploring nature, experimenting with different materials, and developing essential skills like cooperation, problem-solving, and risk negotiation.
Mr. Royer also offered practical tips and strategies for creating engaging outdoor learning activities on any budget, including easy DIY ideas. Additionally, he demonstrated how integrating the Outdoor Classroom with indoor learning is key, as it reinforces the idea that education happens everywhere.
Since Mr. Royer's presentation at last year's CQEL Fall ECE Conference, we've had the pleasure of introducing our Outdoor Classroom to educators from numerous local CQEL schools and from schools as far away as Northern California and Oregon. This November, Mr. Royer and Dr. Mindy Coates-Smith will present at the NAEYC Annual Meeting in Anaheim.
We're committed to sharing our expertise and inspiring other schools to embrace the power of outdoor learning. Providing children with opportunities to connect with nature and engage in meaningful play, fosters a lifelong love of learning. To visit our Outdoor Classroom, please contact us at [email protected].