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Join the Outdoor Play Movement. What is it? Why now? Who is a part of this? How can I contribute?. Restless Kids?. Go Outside!. Messy Activity?. Try it outside!. Science, Math or Reading Time?. Do them Outside!. Too Much TV for Kids?. Go Outside!.
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Join the Outdoor Play Movement What is it? Why now? Who is a part of this? How can I contribute?
Restless Kids? • Go Outside!
Messy Activity? • Try it outside!
Science, Math or Reading Time? • Do them Outside!
Too Much TV for Kids? • Go Outside!
Fearing the Results of Child Inactivity? • Play Outside!
Why? • Children who are exposed to natural environments attend better for longer periods of time • Children learning about how they fit in the world fare better outside
Research • The outdoors facilitates children's ability to expand their sense of wonder and spiritual connections. (Bohlink-Phillippi)
North Carolina’s Initial Response • Gather a group of professionals to work on it! • Divide into work groups • Call yourself by a name - Outdoor Learning Environments Alliance • Report back, Solve this!! • Start a website - http://www.osr.nc.gov/OLE
North Carolina Outdoor Learning Environments (OLE) Alliance • Three work groups • Professional Development & Technical Assistance • Policy & Regulation • Public Awareness & Advocacy • Leadership Team (2 reps from each work group)
OLE Alliance Purpose • To improve the quality of outdoor environments for children in child care and public school pre-K settings through the state. • Organizational collaboration • Stay abreast of developments • Policy recommendations • Professional guidance and technical assistance • Advocacy for high quality outdoor environments
!!~It’s a Ground Swell~!! • Research is emerging daily • Practices must change from “recess” to enhanced learning spaces • Teacher education is needed • Additional tools and strategies are needed • Families and other professional groups must join ECE!
Next Steps • Resource list already compiled • Logo and public awareness available • Research bullets available • Establishing baseline of current conditions and practices • Identification of model settings
We need you! • Join a work group • Stay in touch with what is happening • Question your own practices • Become familiar with suggested resources • Incorporate new practices and language
Play Outside! Play Outside Play Outside Play Outside