In Singapore’s urban landscape, it can be difficult for children to explore the outdoors during their learning and play. However, going beyond the confines of a traditional classroom setting and embracing outdoor learning offers a holistic approach to your child’s early education, contributing to their physical, cognitive, and social development. Join us as we explore how outdoor learning can help lay the groundwork for their growth and future success.
1. Encourages physical experience
Many preschool children in Singapore lead sedentary lifestyles and often spend many hours indoors. In fact, a study conducted on 78 preschool children in Singapore showed that they spent a median of 7.8 hours a day in sedentary behaviour, and only half an hour a day engaging in physical experiences.
In light of this alarming trend, it is more important than ever for preschools in Singapore to incorporate the outdoors into the early childhood curriculum. Not only does outdoor learning provide a refreshing escape, but it also offers children ample opportunities to stay active and engage in play.
Learn more: Why Is Play Important In Your Child's Early Years?
Exploring the outdoors is also important to the well-being of your little ones. It can boost their overall physical fitness, enhance motor skills, and improve coordination. Moreover, exposure to natural elements like sunlight and fresh air promotes healthy growth and improves your child’s immune function.
2. Supports cognitive development
Beyond its physical benefits, outdoor learning is also crucial in supporting cognitive development in preschoolers. Playing in outdoor spaces ignites their curiosity and creativity, encouraging them to ask questions, make discoveries, and solve problems independently.
Furthermore, incorporating outdoor learning into the preschool curriculum cultivates a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. After all, no textbook can replace the first-hand learning experience of observing insects in a garden, experimenting with natural materials, or simply listening to the sounds of nature.
Research also suggests that outdoor learning enhances cognitive skills such as attention, memory, and critical thinking. The well-rounded, holistic education offered by outdoor learning experiences is critical in laying a strong foundation for your child’s future academic success and lifelong learning.
3. Provides multisensory experiences
Another advantage of outdoor learning is its ability to provide multisensory experiences for your child, especially in Singapore’s cityscape. Heading outside presents the best opportunity for preschool children to truly engage their senses, exposing them to a symphony of sights, sounds, textures, and smells. These sensory-rich experiences help your child foster a deeper connection with nature and supplement their understanding of the world.
4. Promotes social and emotional development
Lastly, incorporating more outdoor activities into the preschool curriculum contributes to children’s development of essential social and emotional skills. Group activities and play like building forts, playing tag, and going on treasure hunts encourage teamwork, cooperation, and communication, becoming valuable opportunities for children to learn how to share, take turns, and resolve conflicts.
Moreover, the freedom of playing outdoors fosters creativity and imagination, allowing children to express themselves authentically and develop self-confidence. Navigating natural obstacles and engaging in collaborative play builds resilience, empathy, and emotional regulation skills that are crucial for your child’s overall well-being and future development.
Embracing outdoor learning in preschools isn’t just about letting children play—it's about nurturing their physical, cognitive, and sensory development holistically. At E-Bridge Pre-School, we believe in the power of outdoor learning and holistic education in helping your children flourish in mind, body, and spirit.
Want to discover the difference outdoor learning can make in your child’s life? Register with us today!
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