At St. Anne Elementary School, Kindergarten students are experiencing education in a fresh, exciting way—through outdoor learning! These young learners are not only gaining knowledge but also developing life skills through hands-on activities in nature. Three times a week, the school’s little explorers venture outdoors to engage with their environment in unique and meaningful ways. Let’s take a closer look at some of the creative activities that make their days both fun and educational!
Sit-Spot in Nature: Connecting with the Outdoors
One of the key elements of the outdoor learning program is the Sit-Spot, where students immerse themselves in nature. Sitting quietly in their chosen spot, the children are encouraged to reflect on their surroundings, fostering mindfulness and focus. The activity creates a calming environment, which enhances their ability to share thoughts during group discussions. With each experience, students become more in tune with the world around them, sharpening their observation skills and gaining a deeper appreciation for nature.
The program introduces sensory engagement questions like “What do you hear?” and “What do you feel?” These questions encourage students to reflect on the changing nature of their environment, making each Sit-Spot session an evolving and enriching experience.
Yoga Mindfulness: Flexibility, Balance, and Teamwork
Outdoor yoga has been a fantastic addition to the Kindergarten curriculum. During Tuesday morning sessions, students engage in yoga activities that focus on balance, flexibility, and mindfulness. With the help of ‘Kids Yoga’ cards, students select poses to perform, and pairs of students support one another throughout the session.
Performing yoga outdoors, especially in winter gear, presents its own set of challenges—posing on frozen ground is no easy task! However, the students demonstrated adaptability and perseverance, embracing the experience. Outdoor yoga has not only improved physical strength but also helped foster emotional well-being, providing a well-rounded approach to learning. As the weather warms up, the students are eager to try their poses in less restrictive clothing, and the teachers look forward to observing how the change in temperature affects their movements.
Music and Movement: Dancing and Drumming in Nature
Music is an essential part of the Kindergarten program, and St. Anne’s outdoor classrooms offer ample space for musical exploration. Students love to dance and experiment with various musical instruments. By taking these activities outside, they are free to move and create without the constraints of classroom walls.
Outdoor music sessions have been especially beneficial for students who are typically sensitive to loud noises. By playing drums and experimenting with rhythms, these students have become more comfortable with sound and shown significant improvement in their sensory processing skills. Educators also introduced nature-inspired activities, such as using colourful ribbons to accompany the music, allowing students to express themselves both creatively and emotionally.
Visual Art: Unleashing Creativity in the Outdoors
When it comes to art, the possibilities are endless outdoors! Kindergarten students at St. Anne have explored various mediums, including painting with snow, using spoons and cardboard to mix colours on pavement, and even trying nature photography with real cameras. These activities encourage experimentation and creativity, inviting students to think outside the box and embrace the beauty of the natural world.
At St. Anne, math goes beyond textbooks—it’s an adventure in the great outdoors! Students use leaves, twigs, rocks, and other natural elements to practice counting, sorting, and graphing. They create shapes on outdoor Geo-boards, measure puddle lengths with their feet, and use pine cones for size comparisons. These activities bring math to life in a dynamic, hands-on way, making learning both fun and memorable.
By connecting math with the natural world, students gain a greater understanding of its relevance in everyday life. These outdoor math experiences promote creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking while encouraging curiosity about the world around them.
Snow STEAM Projects: Embracing the Seasons
When winter arrives, learning doesn’t stop—it simply takes on a new form. Through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) projects, students have the opportunity to create “snow bricks” and build structures like forts, igloos, and walls using the snow around them. The hands-on building process teaches important lessons in physics, teamwork, and engineering.
As the season progresses, the students will add even more creativity to their projects by incorporating elements like food colouring to decorate their snow creations. These activities not only encourage teamwork and problem-solving but also foster a deeper connection to the natural world, showing students how they can use their surroundings to fuel their learning.
A Holistic Approach to Learning
At St. Anne School, outdoor learning is about more than just academics—it’s about nurturing well-rounded, curious, and creative students who are prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world. By engaging with nature in such an immersive way, Kindergarten students develop resilience, creativity, and an appreciation for the environment, all while having fun. Education staff are proud of the growth and progress they see in their students each day and look forward to continuing these enriching outdoor experiences for years to come.
Outdoor learning at St. Anne is a beautiful reminder that the world is our classroom—every tree, rock, and snowflake is an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with the world around us. As the students continue to explore, create, and discover, they’re building a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning and adventure!
