Outdoor Learning Project Parent Information St Andrew’s Nursery Class 20 th March 2013.

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Parent Information

St Andrew’s Nursery Class

20th March 2013

National Agenda• What is Outdoor Learning?

• Why is Outdoor Learning important?• Development of critical skills (cooperation, self awareness, risk assessment

etc)• Health• Global citizenship• Fundamental human need to be connected with nature

• What are the benefits?• DVD• Consultation with parents• Involvement in your child’s learning

Benefits - Outdoor Education

• Increased Self-esteem & Confidence• Personal and Social Development• Independence• Concentration• Physical Activity• Small Risk Management• Working With Others as a Group• Problem Solving• Thinking Skills

The importance of Play• 22% of children aged 6 in Scotland are overweight (9% obese)• 15% of children aged 6 exercise for less than the

recommended level of 60 minutes daily• 31% of children have 3 or more hours of screen time daily• Only half of children aged 6 play outside every day (this includes

playtime)

• One third of children aged 6 have never climbed a treeSource – Growing Up in Scotland Survey (GUS)

Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities.

UNCRC Article 31

Woodland Visits – Callendar Park• Children will be split into groups of 10

• Three adults will support each group (at least one member of staff)

• Morning & Afternoon groups will go during the normal session. Your child will walk to the site from nursery.

• You will be notified of the dates when your child will take part in the visits.

Our Outdoor Session

• Arrive at Nursery at usual time

• Please ensure your child is suitably dressed for the weather

• Children will then walk to CallendarPark

• Children will spend approximately 2 hours in woodland/green space before returning to nursery for usual collection time.

Clothing

• Suitable/old trousers and jackets - clothing is likely to get wet and muddy. The nursery will supply all weather suits.

• Warm clothing - including hats, gloves and scarves

• Wellington boots or waterproof boots

Toileting in the Woods

• Please ensure that your child has been to the toilet before coming to the woods.

• Should your child need the toilet when they are out a member of staff will take them to discrete place in the woods

Snack Time

• All children will be provided with a snack during their visit to the Woodland Classroom

• On cold days children (and helpers) will be offered a hot drink

Fun in the Woodlands

Who needs a play park??

Balance/Co-ordination

Mini-beast Hunt

Den Building

Risk Management

There’s no such thing as bad weather

European Perspective

Support from Parents• Parental consent form to be signed and returned.• Assist with maintaining child:adult ratio to access local green

spaces.• Appropriate clothing for children

- warm and waterproof jacket (may be supplied)- Hat, gloves, scarf - Sun hat- Wellies