Nature's Classroom: Finland's Outdoor Schools
At the Hopealaakso Nursery in Finland, children have outdoor learning in the forest. Studies show that spending time in nature improves children's health and well-being, as well as making them more environmentally conscious.
Annina Kuusisto, a professor in early childhood education at the University of Helsinki, says that children who take part in outdoor learning "will be more likely to take action in the future to protect nature."
The children at the nursery spend over half their playtime in the forest and at the seaside. They play freely, climbing trees and picking berries.
According to a Finnish study, playing in grass and forest plants improved young children's immune systems. Samuli Rabinowitsch, one of the nursery teachers, says the children in his group "rarely catch a cold."
The children play outdoors in both winter and summer. Rabinowitsch says, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing."
Forest schools are becoming more popular around the world. However, according to the World Bank, 56% of people live in urban areas.
But, even children in cities can benefit from getting in touch with nature. Kuusisto says that children can develop respect for the environment by taking care of plants and pets.
//Questions//
1. What do studies show that spending time in nature does to children?
Answer: Studies show that spending time in nature improves children's health and well-being, as well as making them more environmentally conscious.
Reason: (1st Paragraph) Studies show that spending time in nature improves children's health and well-being, as well as making them more environmentally conscious.
2. What does Samuli Rabinowitsch say about the children in his group?
Answer: Samuli Rabinowitsch says the children in his group rarely catch a cold.
Reason: (4th Paragraph) Samuli Rabinowitsch, one of the nursery teachers, says the children in his group "rarely catch a cold."
3. How does Kuusisto say children can develop respect for the environment?
Answer: Kuusisto says that children can develop respect for the environment by taking care of plants and pets.
Reason: (7th Paragraph) Kuusisto says that children can develop respect for the environment by taking care of plants and pets.
//Discussions//
Q1
Do you think outdoor learning could become popular in your country? Please explain.
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Of course, it has already become quite popular in Japan.
We will introduce two representative and famous kindergartens.
I can see that the children here are growing up freely.
Fuji Kindergarten: Tezuka Architects Institute
It was completed in 2007 as a doughnut-shaped kindergarten building. It is designed to allow children to run around on the roof deck, climb trees, and move freely between rooms without doors.
https://takearch1894.com/fuji-kindergarten/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_a1EkBXLuw
A forest kindergarten that transforms an "empty forest" into a "theme park." What is "early childhood education" talked about by a school director who moved to Sakuho Town, Nagano Prefecture, in 2012?
For those who feel uncomfortable with the current early childhood education and are looking for a suitable environment for their children.
When thinking about the growth of their children, many people may think, "I want to raise my children in a place surrounded by nature."
https://localletter.jp/articles/waldkindergarten_chiiroba/
Q2
As a child, did you prefer to play indoors or outdoors? Please support your answer.
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I preferred playing indoors.
I was physically weak, often had a fever, and was absent from school.
Of course, I also liked playing outside but didn't have many opportunities.
Outside, they often played tag, picked flowers and berries, and played with my friends by the pond.
I made felt dolls, knitted bags and hats, and aprons and skirts at home.
Q3
Do you think children these days are more environmentally conscious than in the past? Why or why not?
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In the past, the air and water in Tokyo was terrible, and the ponds and rivers were not so clean. In addition to parks, there were many vacant lots and empty areas filled with insects, butterflies, flowers, and plenty of places for children to play.
Nowadays, parks and rivers are well-maintained, and the rivers and oceans are much cleaner, but they are so pristine that fish and weeds no longer grow there.
I don't know which one is better for the environment.
I don't think we should control nature too much.
Q4
Do you agree that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing? Please discuss.
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Yes, I agree.
Japan has four seasons, and each region has considerable temperature differences.
It would be a good idea to dress according to all kinds of nature, such as rain, snow, strong winds, and sunshine.
Q5
Are you surprised that playing in grass and plants improved children's immune systems? Why or why not?
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No, I wasn't shocked.
When we play in nature, we build up our physical strength, become more energetic, and are less likely to become depressed.
This is true not only for children but also for adults.
Children and adults who play, eat, and sleep well will thrive.
Q6
If you were a child, would you prefer to attend a forest or traditional nursery? Please discuss.
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I want to go to a nursery school in the forest.
This is because it enhances the instincts that humans have.
We are born with great potential.
When we are constantly told that we can't run even though we want to run, that we have to do our homework even though we're concentrating on playing, that we have to eat even though we're not hungry, we lose our natural ability to live. We will lose the power of living.
Nature's Classroom: Finland's Outdoor Schools
https://nativecamp.net/textbook/page-detail/2/22606
Add info)
Education Outside Classroom – The secret ingredient of Finnish education excellence
https://learningscoop.fi/education-outside-classroom/
A)
Education outside the classroom (EOC) is often characterised by curriculum-based educational activities that take place outside school buildings, in natural (e.g. a park or forest) or cultural (e.g. a museum or library) settings. EOC includes, for example, varied field trips, visits to museums and various forms of outdoor learning. In addition, EOC is often seen as 'experiential' or 'authentic' learning.
B)
Finland has a long tradition of out-of-school education. For decades, it has been typical for Finnish classes to visit different places outside school. Visits to other museums, libraries, exhibitions, cultural events and diverse workplaces have been part of Finnish schooling from early childhood to upper secondary education for generations. Outdoor learning - or using nature as a learning environment - is essential in Finnish education.
C)
Finland is a forested country. There's a forest near every Finnish primary school (grades 1-9). It is not unusual for a forest to start in the schoolyard. So, it's unsurprising that Finnish teachers often take their classes out into nature to learn new things.
D)
It is worth noting that nature is not only used as a learning environment to learn biology. Nature is an endless source of learning opportunities: you can learn maths, physics, languages, art, physical education, etc. in nature. Moreover, today's complex environmental problems and their impact on nature are best understood realistically. Outdoor learning has many benefits. For example, it provides a real-world context for learning, promotes understanding of more significant phenomena, increases enthusiasm and motivation, boosts self-esteem and helps students to become more engaged in their learning.
E)
Education in the forest - despite the weather
Finland also has experience with more extensive models of education outside the classroom. In Finland, early childhood education and preschool groups work outdoors. In these groups, the children spend the whole day in the forest. They play, learn different things, and have lunch and snacks outside - whatever the weather. Sometimes, they have a small hut with an open fire where they go when it rains exceptionally hard. The feedback from these groups is fabulous: the children are happy and calm, and the adults enjoy themselves, too. The learning results are excellent. Especially children with learning difficulties or other challenges seem to benefit from this natural learning environment.
