We strive for more creative ways to use nature to inspire learning in our outdoor Montessori environment. Children are exposed to fun activities ranging from gardening, free and organized play, physical education, music and movement. I always tell them “go run and play, and catch Ms. Rohini a flea.”
We created outdoor classrooms in the patio areas at the schools to take learning to a new level. The children enjoy the sunshine, delight in chasing the frog out of the watering can, enjoy digging their hands in the vegetable garden, and love listening to the chirping birds.
Research shows that today most children send less than ten minutes a day playing outside and enjoying the outdoors. Let us encourage our little ones to walk on the sunshine, get grime and dirt all over them, and be healthy. The video games and IPad’s are going to have to wait.
About Rohini Rustogi