Writing Outdoors

As many early childhood and elementary programs are trying to spend as much time outdoors as possible right now, a new Exchange Reflections, “Writing and Literacy Outdoors,” provides a wealth of ideas for supporting learning outdoors. Rebecca Giles’ article, “Outdoor Authors: Publishing Possibilities on the Playground and Beyond,” forms the basis for the Exchange Reflections discussion questions and suggested action steps.

Giles, who is also the author of a new book, A Young Writer’s World, writes, “Extending classroom learning outdoors results in unique educational opportunities. While science…or even art activities may be routinely offered as outdoor experiences, providing opportunities for children’s literacy development during outdoor play is often overlooked…

One of the most important elements in developing literacy skills is adults who stimulate children’s interest, scaffold experiences, and respond to children’s earnest initial attempts to communicate through print. As young children draw pictures depicting their outdoor experiences or share their observations, an adult can serve as scribe and record their words. Gradually children begin experimenting with print on their own and adopt a combination of pictures, random letter strings, invented spellings, and sight words.”

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