Outdoor Learning: It’s More Than Just a Break (And A New Barefoot Sensory Path)

At our Early Childhood Center, we had an Outdoor Learning Committee that was dedicated to creating outdoor learning experiences that gave children the opportunities to explore their environment, build core strength, connect with nature, and use collaborative, critical and creative thinking skills! Outdoor play was not looked at as a break from learning, but rather a natural way that kids learn about the world around them. For example, they are learning  social skills as they play and create games together, learn how to problem solve as problems arise during those games, and learn how to get along as they play.

They are learning how to take risks that are not too dangerous yet allows them to find out what their physical limits are. 

They are learning about the sciences as they explore insects, plants, sound and weather. They learn physics as build and balance large objects. These happen naturally if an outdoor learning area is set up for it! Here are some examples of outdoor learning from our old playground.

These experiences were what most often started our investigations into science related studies in our classroom!

Now we have a fresh, new playground! A blank slate to create opportunities for kids to explore, discover and learn! My class has already started investigating the seeds coming off the bushes in the mulch along with crickets that live in another bush! They have also found a frog and grasshopper that they were absolutely fascinated with as they observed them and wondered about them! They already have an investigative frame of mind!

Our first project was recreating our barefoot sensory path like the one we created at our old school. Here is the original one!

My husband has always helped with outdoor learning area projects that required some serious building knowledge, so he helped me and two other teachers who are also very passionate about outdoor learning experiences create our new sensory path that will last hopefully forever! A rectangle hole was created when they poured the concrete for us and our districts Maintenance Team filled it with gravel. We measured, framed, and measured some more. We used composite lumber this time so that it will last forever!

Here is the finished product!









At first they didn’t use it! Once I modeled for the kids how they could explore it barefoot they all wanted to try it! Without modeling how to explore it with feet and hands, they didn’t really understand what it was for because they had never seen anything like it. Once I modeled it though, they have been using it consistently!









We have a small area against the building that I am hoping we can turn into something. The sidewalk provides a natural boundary. Maybe we could plant a garden with sunflowers coneflowers, mint, lemon balm, milkweed, etc? Or maybe a sound exploration area? Maybe both? Or big logs to build with? We also have some garden boxes that maybe we can put into use. 

We don’t know yet, but our Outdoor Learning Committee and our classes will come up with some creative ways to create more opportunities to explore, discover and learn in our new outdoor space!