You know the value of these centers so you include them in your daily plans, focusing on what children can learn in each one. But, do you remember to include the largest learning area of all -- the Outdoor Learning Area?

      Young children enjoy making discoveries, and they are learning all of the time, indoors and out. By concentrating on the Outdoor Area, teachers can enhance the opportunities for learning that occur there.

      Before the school year begins, give this area the same attention you give your classroom. Clean and organize the play yard by picking up trash, raking out the sand box, and asking your administrator to arrange for adding fresh sand to the box. Discard broken sand toys and add new ones.

      Use sand paper to smooth out rough areas on equipment, and use touch-up paint where required. Wash the play yard's plastic equipment and all of the wheeled toys (or have the children do this the first few days of school.) Check wheeled toys for rough spots, and sand and re-paint these. Oil the metal parts of wheeled toys. Sweep the riding path and check to see if it is in need of repairs.

      Think of how you can help your outdoor environment look inviting and colorful. Is it a pleasant place to be? Would a few strategically-planted bushes provide a "quiet space" for children? Would a few hanging plants add beauty? Could colorful fabric banners brighten the space?

      Think about outdoor safety. Can you see and supervise every part of the yard no matter where you are standing? If not, what changes need to be made?

      Provide outdoor tables and chairs (or benches) where children can display nature "finds" or examine items that you've placed there. Make art supplies available so young ones can represent what they see.

      Mark off a protected area of the yard and transform it into a garden. Autumn is a great time for children to plant bulbs that will sprout in the spring. If you live in snow country, be sure to include early-blooming crocus that will peek through layers of snow to show their blossoms.

      In warmer climates of the south, let children plant winter annuals like pansies and snapdragons or put in perennials like Dianthus. These will bloom all fall and winter. Check with local gardening stores to see what is appropriate in your climate.

      Make use of materials that occur naturally in your outdoor environment. In autumn you'll find that most plants are heavy with seeds. Plan for your children to search the plants in the play yard or those in a nearby field for seeds. Gather some yourself in advance to show youngsters what they'll be looking for. Give each child a bag for collecting seeds they find. Challenge students to sort or classify the seeds into categories they decide. Some suggestions: smooth, sticky; large, small; brown, not brown; round, not round.

      Plant a few of these seeds in the garden and watch for growth, and save some seeds for spring planting in the garden. Also, let children experience planting some of these seeds now in conditions where they can watch them sprout and grow. Provide shovels and offer dishpans or cardboard cartons for the children to fill with dirt. Invite them to plant the seeds. If the weather is already cold, bring the pans inside. Have children water the seeds every few days and observe the plants that sprout.

      Take advantage of outdoor math opportunities. Put out ten plastic jars or whipped topping containers and write numerals 0-9 on them. Youngsters can gather natural items to count into the containers. Challenge children to find something different each day!

      Use yarn to measure distances from one tree to several others. Compare the lengths of yarn. Which tree is closest/farthest from the first tree?

      Use children's bodies for measuring. How many children holding hands does it take to reach from one side of the yard to the other? How many to reach around the trunks of various trees?

      With yarn, measure the distance from the top of the climbing bars to ground. Now lay that yarn on the ground so children can see the distance from a different perspective. Have several children lie head-to-foot along the yarn. How many children tall is the top of the climbing bar?

      Build listening skills outdoors by having children sit quietly for a few minutes and listen for sounds. Make a list of the sounds children heard. Repeat the activity every few weeks and compare charts. What changed? What stayed the same?

      Bring a basket of books outside. Include field guides so you and the children can identify birds, trees, flowers, insects and butterflies you see. Include favorite story books in your basket, too, for children who want to spend a few quiet moments reading.

      As you continue to concentrate on the Outdoor Learning Area, you'll see more and more opportunities for learning. Listen to the children's suggestions for outdoor activities, as well. Together you'll discover that opportunities for outdoor learning are as plentiful as the specks of dirt on your playground! Dig in!

Read Flannel Board + Fun = Learning or go back to the article list.