What sounds like a novel concept shouldn’t be new to anyone, and yet it often is! Having your children learn outside is a great way to switch up their routine while getting some fresh air and new experiences!
Start Young
You start teaching your kids from the moment they open their eyes. No matter what their age, they are always learning by observing. So, starting to teach them outdoors can be a fun and new experience that they can grow into as they age. They may get distracted here and there, but it is an easy way to start them young in having to focus on you and not the world around them. You can use the world around you to teach them about their surroundings, and also teach them something completely separate from nature. You can teach them about flowers, and animals, and how to safely cross a street, then also teach them how to count by using objects that are outside. It can be a much more exciting experience to be outdoors and learning!
Keep It Going
Children can grow easily distracted, or tired, of the same routine. Even if you are switching up the lessons, a child may be tired of going outside for lessons, or wanting to stay inside where the elements are more controlled. Make sure you keep it interesting and not rely on it too much, as it can become repetitious. Depending on how much your kids like the outdoors, you can do every other day, weekly, or even bi-weekly! Whatever time frame works for your kids so they don’t become tired of it but also look forward to it.
Troublesome Weather
There may be some times when the weather won’t cooperate, such as rainstorms or snow. If it’s too cold or too hot, you can always do quick lessons, or a quick search for some fun things and then go outside. If your children are smaller, you could take them out earlier in the day before it’s too hot, and try to count as many bugs as they can. Or you can go out to see the freshly fallen snow, talk about how snow is created, and then have a snowball fight! You can always switch up the lesson depending on how the day is shaping up, and use the world around you as a classroom!
Katie Kyzivat