Waldkindergarten"(Forest kindergartens)" popular education idea in Germany since early 1990s. Children age 3-6 spend all their time outdoors 4–6 hours daily, all-season long, in the forest. No classroom, no books, no manufactured toys and no such thing as bad weather, Rain or snow. The idea that the forest can be the classroom and is a natural way for children to discover the world around them. The forest helps them learn to identifying with nature, and said to even support the immune system and physical and mental health. Children gain self-confidence and good balance, running, jumping, climbing and hiking. Playing with sticks, digging in dirt, looking for frogs or climbing a tree, the children learn to enjoy the world around them. Many different variations of this education, like Wandergruppe a hiking groups , and SCHUB- Schule auf dem Bauernhof, "school on the farm".
Jean-Jacques Rousseau a philosopher from the 1700's said "The child will not enjoy a book about a river or a mountain if he has never actually climbed a mountain or looked for tadpoles in a river."
6 comments:
I know about this idea of a "Waldkindergatren", it exists also in Switzerland. Because my older grandchild, he is 4 y.o. now, LOVES to go there to play every Monday. He is waiting the whole week long for Mondays...:-)
I think it's a great idea!
I think of how we grew up. We had to go to traditional school, but when I got home the first place I wanted to be was outside. Being outside seemed to help me get a grip on the day I experienced. I visited the site and am reminded to offer the same for my kids.
You are right ... first thing I did when I got home from school was run to be outside! Our parents owened a campground and on week ends and all summer long, we three kids were just running in the woods. Great experience!
I love learning about more ways to teach children. Thank you for sharing.
my son is going to one in washington state. It's perfect.
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