“Nature as the Classroom” Outdoor Programs Offer Fun and Unique Learning Opportunities
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ounting tadpoles, w atc h i n g c ate r p i l lars, listening to the birds singing, seeing flowers emerge from seeds planted months before — these are all examples of direct observation, another way to learn and to have fun at the same time. L e ar n i ng out s ide t he classroom has become a popular means to introduce students of all ages to the inspiration of the nat ural world. S chools and other organizations in the Princeton area are offering a variety of outdoor programs to stimulate the imagination and education of kids about the need for conservation and protection of the environment. Students have a good time as they learn in the outdoor setting, and it is never too soon to start. “We believe the benefit is two-fold,” says Rachel Castaldi, publicity chair of Cher r y Hill Nurser y School at 50 Cherry Hill Road. “The fresh air and explorat ion feeds t heir brains and opens their eyes to so many wonders.
It’s play-based learning in the most real sense. These little people have no idea that they are being ‘taught’ something — they think they are explorers, walking around in the woods with their friends, reading maps, and tracking deer prints in the mud. How cool is that?” Nature-Based Cherry Hill Nursery School students are 2 to 5 years old, and there are programs for all of them. The school also brings nature inside the classroom, she adds. “The 3’s class is heavily based on nature, and every year Mrs. Novobilsky, their teacher, brings in caterpillars and the children watch them daily as they go through the stages of change. As a class, they eventually release the butterflies in the woods. So not only do we explore our 200 acres of preserved land, we bring nature inside as well. It is quite common to see tadpoles, baby tur tles, and other small animals inside the 3’s classroom.”
Programs that are offered beside the regular classes for 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s are Afternoon Enrichment classes Monday through Thursday, says Castaldi. “Forest School is offered one day of the week, and the kiddos spend the entire time outside, weather p e r m i t t i n g. T h e y h i ke and explore the Mountain Lakes Preserve which borders our school. We have a small garden, and every class plants fruits and veggies, and we care for them and watch them grow throughout the fall and spring. In addition to these Afternoon Enrichment programs, all classes are very active in nature walks, gardening, and lots of outdoor play. Nature walks and hikes are an important part of the outdoor program, she emphasizes. “Mrs. Novobilsky leads the charge. The kids enjoy finding tracks of animals and trying to identify which animal they belong to, learning where animals live (nests for birds,
STUDENT GARDENING PROGRAM: The Waldorf School garden features a geodesic dome trellis and raised garden beds. (Photo courtesy of Waldorf School) fox h ol e s, e tc. ) . T h e y learn about tree species and what plants are OK to touch and which ones to stay away from, such as poison ivy.” Bird Calls “They learn how to navigate through the Preserve with maps and by reading the trail markers that are posted on the trees,” continues Castaldi. “They listen for certain bird calls, and learn how to make
their own. “The children love the nature walks and look forward to them with great vigor. The walks usually last any where from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on the age of the kiddos, weather, and overall energy level the class is experiencing that day.” Castaldi points out that all ages take part in the walks, gardening, and time spent outside. The 2-year-
olds have much shor ter walks, but they are outside at least twice a day. “The children love their time outside. On Ear th Day, t he ent ire s chool wa l k s to t he hous e at Mountain Lakes, and rolls down the hill together. It’s quite a sight to see, and hear — lots of giggling!” Gardening Experiences Gardening has long been an important focus at the Continued on Next Page
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