• Home
  • About
  • Online Classes
    • Workshops
    • Workshop Series
    • Classes
    • Membership
    • FAQ
  • Membership
    • The Circle
  • Local Programs
  • Shop
Have a Question? Contact Victoria
info@outdoor-classrooms.com
Login
No apps configured. Please contact your administrator.

Login with your site account

No apps configured. Please contact your administrator.

Lost your password?

          |   Blog   |   Cart   |   My Account |  
Outdoor Classrooms
  • Home
  • About
  • Online Classes
    • Workshops
    • Workshop Series
    • Classes
    • Membership
    • FAQ
  • Membership
    • The Circle
  • Local Programs
  • Shop

The Seedling BLOG

5 Key Elements for Environmental Education in the Preschool Classroom

  • Posted by Victoria Hackett
  • Categories The Seedling BLOG
  • Date December 4, 2015
  • Comments 2 comments

5 Key Elements for Environmental Education in the  Preschool Classroom

It’s exciting to witness educators picking up on the Call to Action to reconnect our children to Nature. This conversation has re-introduced a dialogue about Nature-Based Education, Green Curriculum, Natural Teachers, Outdoor Classrooms and School Teaching Gardens.  What do all these words mean? This past week, I was invited to facilitate a workshop on Environmental Education for Preschoolers. My first thought was, “Wow…Environmental Education is such big words for such little people.”

I began to play with these BIG words which led to what I like to call Curiosity Conversations. What is Environmental Education? What does Environmental Education look like in preschool? Why is Environmental Education an important part of the preschool curriculum? How can teachers get started and make Environmental Education part of the daily routines?

What is Environmental Education? The dictionary defines Environmental Education as a multi-disciplinary field integrating disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, earth science, atmospheric science, mathematics, and geography. Environmental Education is about teaching how natural environments function. Again, VERY big words for our little people. 

In my own simple terms, I like to define Environmental Education as teaching and learning about the mysteries of nature. Outdoor Classrooms provide the perfect backdrop for exploring science, math, literacy, technology, engineering, art, and math and so much more.

What does Environmental Education look like in preschool?

Biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, earth science, atmospheric science, mathematics, and geography all look very different in the preschool classroom. Understanding developmentally appropriate practices and how to weave nature experiences into the existing preschool curriculum, daily routines and activities is vitally important.

 5 KEY ELEMENTS: Environment Education in the Preschool Classroom

1. SIMPLE EXPERIENCES teach how natural environments function. Example: Take a picture of a tree and observe the same tree throughout each season and document the changes.

2. ONGOING and frequent positive experiences outdoors rather than sporadic and infrequent.  Example: Create daily practices and rituals for teaching outdoors.

3.  HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES  vs. Teaching Activities. Create a purpose for going outdoors. Example: Plant a garden, grow food and make connections.

4. DEMONSTRATE CURIOSITY and wonder because preschoolers connect with feelings more than facts. Example: Follow the child. Add Curiosity Conversations to invite questions for Outdoor Explorations.

5. MODEL CARE AND RESPECT  and create a community of young Environmental Stewards & Ambassadors. Example: Talk to children about the importance of leadership and taking care of our environment. Read stories about environmental leaders. 

Understand your WHY.

Environmental Education an important part of the preschool because…

  • American children ages 3 -12 spend 27 percent of their time each week watching television, and only 1 percent outdoors (Hofferth & Sadberg, 2001)
  • Children ages 8 – 18 engaged in over seven hours of media time (e.g., watching TV, listening to music, using the Internet/computer, playing video games) each day (Rideout, Foehr & Roberts, 2010)
  • Approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of U.S. children and adolescents aged 2—19 years were obese  in 2008 (Ogden & Carroll, 2010)
  •  In 2000 two-thirds of the public failed a basic environmental quiz and 88 percent failed a basic energy quiz (Coyle, 2005)

TAKE ACTION! How can teachers get started and make Environmental Education part of the daily routines? 

The easiest way to get started is to simply plant a seed. Start before you are ready, cultivate your ideas and Dig Deeper with Knowledge. Here are 3 steps you can take NOW!

STEP One: Find Your Community: Join Outdoor-Classrooms.com

STEP Two: Invite Curiosity Conversations: Create a Map of Intention

STEP Three: Dig Deeper with Knowledge: Sign up for an Outdoor Classrooms Master Class

Now it’s time to hear from you. What is your definition of Environmental Education? How does your preschool classroom infuse Environmental Education into the daily routines? What does it look like in your classroom?

Join the conversation with our Outdoor-Classrooms Facebook Group. 

Want to dig deeper? Check out the Outdoor-Classrooms Summit and learn from 8 leaders from the nature-based movement. Sign Up Today! 

author avatar
Victoria Hackett

ABOUT VICTORIA:
My mission is for every child in every school to have access to an Outdoor Classroom. Therefore, I inspire educators to teach outdoors and lead an on-line virtual community of Natural Teachers all over the world to create their own Outdoor Classroom story.

Previous post

Program Spotlight: Shamrock Gardens
December 4, 2015

Next post

Festive Winter Miniature Gardens
December 7, 2015

You may also like

4 Things You Need to Know to Teach Outdoors
6 September, 2021

So in all my years of helping educators start outdoor classrooms… One of the BIGGEST insecurities that almost every educator has is the feeling like they can’t transition their classroom outdoors and teach outdoors with the same quality and depth …

Outdoor Classrooms to the Rescue (Again)
31 August, 2021

This summer we launched THE CIRCLE: Our Outdoor Classrooms Membership Community! With monthly Outdoor Classrooms Tour & Talks, LIVE Teaching & Learning Round Table discussions, access to our 1-hour Nature-Based Workshop Library, and LIVE Q&A/ Lesson Exchanges, one never knows …

My 7 Favorite Gardening Tools for Children
2 May, 2021

My 7 Favorite Gardening Tools for Children Gardening is a wonderful opportunity to get your children involved in outdoor work that is fun, productive, and educational with a splash of whimsy. One of the most beautiful sights is that of …

    2 Comments

  1. Natalie Freed
    December 28, 2015
    Log in to Reply

    Just found your site. I can’t wait to dig in!!! I’m in the process of starting a garden program at my kids elementary school and just from my brief glances around, I can see an abundance of information that specifically applies to my endeavors. Thank you for promoting outdoor educations. I’m a fan already!

    • Victoria Hackett
      December 28, 2015
      Log in to Reply

      Welcome Natalie! Lot’s of goodies coming in 2016. Can’t wait to learn more about your garden program. Please subscribe and let me know if you have any questions.

Leave A Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Categories

  • E-Course – STEAM Outdoors
  • E-Course Members
  • E-Course – Becoming a Natural Teacher
  • The Seedling BLOG

Copyright © Outdoor Classrooms - All Rights Reserved

                
  • FAQ
  • Terms
  • Policies
No apps configured. Please contact your administrator.

Login with your site account

No apps configured. Please contact your administrator.

Lost your password?