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| The fun of creating a snow angel. |
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| I have done this before, but this experience is quite different. |
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| The depth of this snow angel has to be seen to be believed! |
Children in Norway are viewed as capable and competent. I visited settings where children spent all year learning in the outdoors. These were powerful four year old children strongly connected to their environment, resourceful and resilient in their place. Although I cannot show many images of children I will share images of myself being playful in this environment with children and I am sure it will give you a clear vision of the joy, laughter and learning that was so evident in this place.
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| Time to bury our visitor! |
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| Three boys join in the excitement. I try hard to return the snow. |
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| Success is close! |
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| The pleasure and joy of the experience is wonderful. |
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| Time for more snow battles, so I head for Claire! |
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| Claire soon returns the favour! |
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| This sledging is great fun with a crowd. |
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It is also alot of fun by yourself
I have many more photos to share of this wonderful experience (some of them can be viewed here: http://educationalleadershipproject.blogspot.com). I hope the notion that young children in Norway can spend their early years outside through all weather (rain, snow, sleet and sun), will challenge some to think about the indoor prisons some have created for small children. Norway acknowledges the powerful space that nature provides for learning, some of the ideas they discussed with us included the following:
- That education in mathematics and science is based on phenomena in nature
- That education in languages is based on phenomena in nature
- Therefore we must take children outside to engage in these experiences, to learn and to feel.
- They shared a wonderful experience of what children can potentially learn from observing an anthill closely, it was filled with rich deep learning opportunities.
- They talked passionately about the possibilities for learning in an outdoor kindergarten. To build curious children, who will develop social competence through co-operation. Children who can concentrate and engage in challenging concepts and content in the outdoors.
WHAT FABULOUS OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES ARE YOUR CHILDREN ENGAGED IN?
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3 comments:
Such fun! Is that Claire Warden? I met her in Hawaii a couple of weeks ago. We can learn SO much about outdoor learning from - well, from Scandinavia, the UK, Australia, New Zealand.....
Yes, it is Claire Warden and what a powerful advocate she is for learning in the natural world! We need more passionate advocates like her throughout the world to turn around the 'risk averse' culture that is developing, particularly in the western world!!!
Hi Wendy..
I'm currently researching outdoor schools in Norway --I'm hoping to apply for a Fulbright and study this movement in Norway. I'd so love to know which schools you visited from your photographs. So I can do a little further research. Might you contact me? stasha @ movingthestory@gmail.com
thank you!
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