“Mummy, can we go to the park, pleaseeee!”
In today’s digital age, getting our kids outdoors is more crucial than ever (and we’ve got a list of awesome parks to help you get started! Some of our top picks include the beautifully landscaped Lake Gardens and the expansive Kepong Metropolitan Park).
These outdoor adventures will do wonders for your kids, with research showing that nature can boost kids’ attention spans, challenge their physical limits, and encourage social interaction. So grab your sunscreen (or insect repellent) and head out for some fun in the sun!
Help Them Embrace the Outdoors
Some timely reminders for us parents:
- Use the outdoor environment to teach.
- Being amid greenery, sunlight and fresh air will do our kids a world of good.
- Watch them come up with imaginative games and group activities.
- Observe as they develop social skills, such as sharing and taking turns.
Garden International School (GIS) is leading the way in outdoor learning. They’ve witnessed the incredible benefits of their innovative Jungle School, and now they’re taking it a step further with the introduction of a nature-inspired outdoor classroom. This brand new, nature-themed space in their Early Years Centre (EYC) promises to be a vibrant and captivating environment, where kids aged 3 to 5 can immerse themselves in the wonders of the natural world.
GIS Assistant Head of Primary (EYC) Antonia Confalone shares more with makchic about why outdoor learning is so important, especially in the digital era, and how parents can help support and supplement this.
The Power of Nature Play and Social Skills
By experiencing and interacting with nature daily, students develop a greater appreciation and understanding of the environment. Outdoor environments are known to boost children’s confidence, collaboration, and language skills. Ms Antonia shares that:
Language is shown to be 5 times greater when we’re outdoors. We often notice children being far more communicative, which may be linked to having no walls or ceilings – they don’t feel so observed. Vocabulary also tends to be richer as there are opportunities to use new words and phrases, different textures and skills that require different words to explain or discuss”.
Natural settings also provide diverse sensory experiences that stimulate a child’s senses. The textures, colours, and scents of elements, such as soil, water, plants, and rocks, offer rich opportunities for exploration. The new play area in GIS will incorporate a few different textures to ensure a stimulating environment.
Check out some of the exciting features young learners can explore:
- A sandpit for tactile exploration.
- Water features, including a little waterfall and a great little bridge.
- A kampung house that offers a bird’s-eye view and a space for imaginative play.
- A climbing wall and climbing net for physical challenges.
- An outdoor classroom with stage seating for interactive learning and performances.
- Mounds for rolling down, which promotes physical activity and fun.
- Open-ended play with toys, mats, planks and more.
How Parents Can Reinforce Skills and Creativity At Home
Whether it’s just being at home or venturing out into the garden, parents can make use of the following helpful tips by Ms Antonia:
- Invest in wooden blocks; for example, (a toy with no specific role), which will bring out the creativity in your kids as they attempt to ‘build’ and ‘construct’.
- Use sand, water and mud (a multi-sensory approach) to let children experiment and explore.
- Conduct easy science experiments outside, read outdoors and have creative play, such as playing dress up or arts and crafts using dried leaves and twigs.
- Model creative and imaginative play and show them that a stick is never just a stick – use it as a prop!
- If you have a child at EYC, volunteer as a parent helper at GIS’ Jungle School. This will help parents to see what the school does, so you can continue at home.
Balancing Adventure and Safety While Outdoors
Children learn valuable risk management skills through being outdoors. Here is what parents can do:
- When your child is climbing a tree, gently encourage them, but never ask them to go higher than they feel comfortable. Support them in coming down by suggesting where to place their hand or foot, rather than carrying them.
- Strike a balance between informing children about safety, while also avoiding helicopter parenting. Provide information, and then step back a little.
- Model actions for them, such as using a tool safely or climbing over a log. Allow them to try and be patient with their attempts. Relaxation boosts confidence.
- Scaffold their progress. Ms Antonia shares that you could perhaps hold their hand the first time they attempt something, have your hand ready the next time, and then choose to step back the third time.
So the next time your little one pleads, “Mummy, can we go to the park, pleaseeee?”, say yes and watch their creativity soar. From imaginative games to developing social skills, the benefits are endless. Let nature be their playground and adventure their teacher – just don’t forget the sunscreen and a sense of wonder!
This is a sponsored post by Garden International School (GIS).
Visit GIS’ Early Years Centre (EYC) Open Day on 26th September 2024! Enjoy a 100% Application Fee Rebate* and a 50% Registration Fee Discount* when you apply during their Open Day promotion from 24th to 30th September 2024. Terms and Conditions apply.*
To arrange your personalised tour of GIS’ Early Years Centre (EYC), contact their friendly Admissions Team, or visit their website.
