Outdoor Learning

May 24th, 2010

Early years and primary practitioners return from Norway filled with enthusiasm

ahammerton

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Members of the international professional development visit to Oslo to experience outdoor learning have been struck by the variety of different settings who regularly use the outdoors and whose children all demonstrate calm self assurance.

The group visited nurseries in urban and rural settings who approach outdoor learning in different ways, though all with the philosophy that being outdoors for extended periods of time is important for the holistic development of the child. The children were clearly healthy and resilient, and there was no evidence of any conflicts between children. Staff allowed them a great deal of time to engage individually in the nature around them, with plenty of opportunity for imaginative and creative play, cooperation and communication, and for developing balance and motor skills. It was also refreshing to see a number of male teachers and assistants in the nursery settings visited. Some of the nurseries ensured that their time was spent almost wholly outdoors, only going into their small indoor areas with stoves in the coldest weather, while others adopted the view that a balance of indoor and outdoor learning allowed greater focus on fine motor skills and preparation for school. All believed in and provided for at least 2 to 3 hours outdoors each day.

The design of the Norwegian curriculum, in some ways quite similar to Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, gives teachers the freedom and support to be creative in how they deliver the content and tasks covered in the guidelines. With a recognition that play is valuable and important in its own right, and a culture which values the outdoor life, the risk-benefit balance appears to be very healthy. Visits to Oslo University informed the group about the ongoing research  into, and support provided for, outdoor learning, and we were given an insight into the focus on outdoor learning provided at initial training with students spending a whole semester’s study on aspects of outdoor learning.

Members of the group have returned with many inspiring ideas to put into practice, and are reassured that opportunities for regular and frequent outdoor learning can easily be provided with little or no cost in their own settings and with huge potential for drawing in expertise and support from the local community.

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5 Responses to “Early years and primary practitioners return from Norway filled with enthusiasm”

1. Sally-Ann Geary Petersen May 30th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
   I had the pleasure of showing the visitors around the nursery where I work, Sinober just outside Oslo. I just wanted to say that it was inspiring to recieve a visit of such a motiviated group of educators.

   I hope what we presented was of benefit and that we have inspired people to get the children out into the beautiful nature that Scotland has to offer.

   I think it would be wonderful to keep the lines of communication open as we have surely much to learn from eachother.

   All the best and thanks again for the visit.

2. Dorothy Clark June 9th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
   Since returning from the inspirational three days in Oslo, I have presented to and shared my photographs and reflections with our parent council and a local Home Start Charity based organisation which serves to provide support to families with young children. The responses from everyone have been amazing and the comments of ‘That’s a real childhood’ and ‘They all look so happy and relaxed’ have been common place.

   May I just say thnkyou again for providing us with a wonderful welcome and sharing your expertise and ideas with us.

   It would indeed be good to keep in touch!

3. Alison Hammerton June 11th, 2010 at 2:40 am
   I am very pleased to hear that our group made a positive impact on you, Sally-Ann, and that is due to the hugely inspirational work we were shown when we visited. As Dorothy has indicated in her comment, and has been shown in the early reports from the visit (which will be available on the SCIPD website in due course), the visits to your and other nurseries and Blakstad school have inspired our teachers who are now spreading the word and delivering even more really valuable outdoor learning opportunities for our young children.

   Thank you again and I hope that we can keep in touch via Glow and this blog!

4. Jane Alexander June 25th, 2010 at 1:18 am
   I am busy preparing a range of outdoor learning activities to kick off our new session, inspired by all I saw in Oslo. The first few lessons I have taken outdoors have proved a huge success and the calmness and engagement made me wonder why I hadn’t considered it long before now! Our school are going to deliver a development session for other staff in the region on our own premises to cascade the information and to show everyone how important-and easy- it is to get outdoors!

5. Alison Hammerton July 5th, 2010 at 3:15 am
   This is really good to hear, Jane, and I hope the other staff in the region follow your lead. Also remember there is now a glow group for you to share thoughts, photos, resources and find support from colleagues – go to the national Outdoor Learning Glow group (everyone is a member), then go to the glow groups within there and you’ll find the Norway group. You’ll need to then request to be a member and it will be arranged ASAP.
   All the best with your new outdoor learning activities next session!

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