I use to work at an Outdoor Camp for children and from that experience I learned there\u2019s so much value in teaching alternative environment\/outdoor education. The outdoors doesn\u2019t just offer an alternative space, but it provides students the ability to develop independence and self-reliance. In the outdoors, students can learn how to adapt, face new challenges, and overcome fears or apprehensions they otherwise wouldn’t face indoors. Active learning in the outdoors also introduces young people to the environment in a way in which they can develop understanding and appreciation for nature. They can build a connection to nature and therefore understand the contexts of today\u2019s issues of sustainability. We live in a complex world where we continue to exploit the environment and all it\u2019s natural resources, if children are aware of these growing issues then perhaps they can become stewards of change in helping protect it.<\/p>\n
I would think for many of us school was the first place where we\u00a0learned or first participated in\u00a0outdoor education. I\u2019m glad that schools today understand the value of outdoor education, just not the activity aspect of it, but also its impact on someone\u2019s physical development and mental well-being. We live in a digital world where kids are recorded spending more time in front of screens than outside. I\u2019m afraid\u00a0that\u00a0the growing immersion of technology in almost every aspects of our daily life\u00a0could potentially disconnect younger generations from the outdoors. As an educator, I want to ensure this doesn\u2019t happen. I want to integrate the natural environment just not in PE class but in other subjects. For example, teaching environmental issues\/concepts in depth (and preferably outside)\u00a0during subjects like Science or Social Studies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I use to work at an Outdoor Camp for children and from that experience I learned there\u2019s so much value in teaching alternative environment\/outdoor education. The outdoors doesn\u2019t just offer an alternative space, but it provides students the ability to develop independence and self-reliance. In the outdoors, students can learn how to adapt, face new … Continue reading Oct 14th – Movement Journal Ashley Wong<\/span>