Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/why-outdoor-spaces-for-children-matter-so-much/5017144/
As a landscape architect, I obviously believe that the way outdoor spaces are designed matters; but recently I’ve become more of a believer than ever before in the power that well-designed outdoor spaces can help young children grow and learn in positive ways. Through a partnership with the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation and the National Arbor Day Foundation, I was part of a team that designed a demonstration outdoor classroom in Nebraska City, Nebraska, that serves children from ages 2 to 10. The space is a great example of how landscape architects and educators can work together to provide outdoor settings for child care centers and schools that really work well. These are a few of the principles our team followed throughout this process that might have relevance for anyone wanting to create a better outdoor experience for young children.The physical design of the outdoor classroom is as important as the physical design of the indoor classroom
When I use the term “outdoor classroom,” I’m not talking about a plant-filled area that is only used as a place for children to study flora and fauna. My definition of “outdoor classroom” is a place where all kinds of learning can occur as children ...