By nature, children have very limited attention spans, which is why their teachers have to consistently be on their toes trying to direct their students’ focus back towards them. Academic institutions know this to be a fact, hence why most international schools in Singapore offer a variety of experimental learning opportunities, one of which is outdoor learning.
Outdoor learning is an excellent opportunity for your child enrolled in a PYP Programme to acquire new nuggets of knowledge found beyond the confines of their classroom. Apart from that, the experience is also exciting, memorable, and engaging.
Benefits of outdoor learning
There are different activities in outdoor learning programmes based on what year your child is in. Grades one to six students from most IB schools in Singapore get a week’s worth of learning from being exposed to field experts, the environment, and other hands-on opportunities.
Additionally, your child also gets the opportunity to travel to some of Singapore’s neighbouring countries with their schoolmates and teachers. This allows them to get a small taste of independence and branch out a little as they are exposed to new environments and cultures. Furthermore, the outdoor learning’s focus on community outreach also helps your child be more aware of social and cultural issues.
How parents can show support
While it can be a challenge for some parents to feel at ease at the mere idea of their children being outside, there actually are more pros to outdoor learning than cons. Even if your child is far away from you, there are still things that you can do to not only make sure that they are safe but that they also get the most out of the experience. Here are some of them:
Because safety is of the highest priority, children should be educated on the possible risks and how they can be avoided. Realistically speaking, children are more than capable of identifying these threats and will do everything in their power to prevent them. However, safety tips such as always staying with the group, never wandering far off a beaten path, and the like, won’t hurt.
Aside from safety, you can also impart some knowledge that can help to increase enjoyment on their parts. If you can, take a look at the programme’s itinerary and check for familiar sites – if they exist, tell them the things that they should know about the place, such as the climate, the culture, the typical personalities of the locals, and whatever else you can think of. This will help them become a bit more acquainted with the areas they are going to visit.
- Equip them with the items that they need
Parents, in most cases, are not allowed to accompany their children during these outdoor learning excursions. But just because you must be temporarily separated from them doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to feel your love and affection. In the days leading up to the outdoor learning, help them prepare the essentials – their toiletries, an extra shirt or two, an umbrella, and other things that they might need.
The school might also ask them to prepare specific items for the trip such as their ID cards or a parent’s permit. If so, help them make sure that they have all their essentials packed inside their bag so that they can make the most out of the learning opportunity – rain or shine.
Conclusion
To give children an alternative way of learning that is fun and engaging, IB schools have developed outdoor learning. While the experience is effective in helping children learn a plethora of values that are both moral and practical, parents can supplement it by making sure that they go equipped with the proper knowledge and necessary materials to enjoy outdoor learning to the greatest of their capabilities.
