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| Outdoor DAZE |
Have you Tried? c.2005-2006/2008 |
| The Importance of Nature to Children
Studies have provided convincing evidence that the way people feel in pleasing natural environments improves recall of information, creative problem solving, and creativity. Early experiences with the natural world have been positively linked with the development of imagination and the sense of wonder. Wonder is important as it a motivator for life long learning. There is also strong evidence that young children respond more positively to experiences in the outdoors than adults as they have not yet adapted to unnatural, man-made, indoor environments. The natural world is essential to the emotional health of children. Just as children need positive adult contact and a sense of connection to the wider human community, they also need positive contact with nature and the chance for solitude and the sense of wonder that nature offers. When children play in nature they are more likely to have positive feelings about each other and their surroundings. Outdoor environments are also important to children's development of independence and autonomy. Outdoor space allows children to gradually experiment with increasing distance from their caretaker. While the development of greater independence from toddlerhood to middle childhood can happen within the confines of indoor spaces, safe space outdoors greatly adds to the ability of children to naturally experiment with independence and separation, and the adult's willingness to trust the child's competence which is essential for separation to happen. This is particularly important for children who live in small and crowded homes. What Should I Provide for Children in an Outdoor Play Space? A Variety of Spaces large and small and functional for their use. For active and quiet play. Interest Areas wild flower field, garden, pens for pets, small pond, dramatic play area, area for reading and art work, large open spaces for active games. Material and Equipment for Movement add challenges to play spaces - boards, crates, tires, ropes, bales of straw, logs, large building blocks, ladders, platforms, blankets Privacy Areas a tree house, hammock, rocking chair, or sand pit. Create a place for a child to be alone, to plan, to think, to get a feeling of closeness, or to snuggle in with a book, homework or sketch pad. Different Levels for climbing up high or for hiding down low - ladders, platforms, piping, benches, trees, pits, tents, hills, and climbers Activity Ideas "Paint" a fence with a bucket of water and some paintbrushes. Children love to paint the fence or anything else they can with water Art easels can be brought outside for budding artists to use. Paper can be taped to a tree if there are no easels. Finger painting times are fun outdoors, with easy clean-ups. Blowing bubbles can be done in many ways. How can you provide this expereince for you children? Children can make clay and play dough creations outdoors. Collections from nature walks can be added to paper cutting and ripping activities to make collages. Spray Bottle Tie Dye Tee Shirts You need: Fabric Spray Bottle Paint, Tee Shirt, Hanger, Letter and Number Foam Stickers, Spray Bottles (one for each color is recommended), Foam Sea Life Stickers (optional) Instructions: This project is best done outside where spray mess will not be a problem. Lay tee shirt on a flat surface and place stickers to spell a word or make a design. Press stickers firmly in place. Hang tee from a fence or tree. Dilute 1 part of each color paint with 18 parts water in a spray bottle. You'll need a spray bottle for each color or you can wash a bottle out between colors. Shake until evenly mixed. Stand about 4 to 6 feet from the shirt and spray. Experiment with the spray bottle nozzle to get a fine spray or a more concentrated spray. Make sure to get a lot of color around the stickers but leave other areas white for a more interesting effect. Let hang dry for a few hours. Before washing, set the paint by drying tee shirt in a hot dryer for ten minutes. |
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| "It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult
task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome." - William James |
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