Nature Play & You!
NATURE PLAY & YOU! Educator Day 2016
WHAT IS IT? • Word Association • • • •
Write “Nature” on ½ of page & “Play” on the other Brainstorm words for Nature Do the same for Play Draw a line between related words
• Discuss your word associations with those around you. Did you list similar words? Did you connect similar words? Were there any surprises?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? • Partner Activity • Write down your own definition, then share with the person(s) next to you. • Discuss similarities and differences
• Everybody up! • Sit down only if your definition had words like… NATURE
OUTDOORS/OUTSIDE PLAY
FREE CHOICE
ENVIRONMENT NATURAL
ADVENTURE
EXPLORE FUN
NO BUT REALLY… WHAT DOES IT MEAN? • There’s no definition! • Playing. In. Nature. • Looks different for different people!
BENEFITS OF PLAY • Increased sense of wonder and imagination • Increased observational skills and curiosity • Improved awareness and ability to concentrate • Increased joy and confidence • Enhanced social skills and self-efficacy • Increased problem-solving and critical thinking skills • Increased interest in and concern for the environment
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT PLAY? GET OUTSIDE
• Create Daily Outdoors Time
• Create an Outdoor Classroom
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT PLAY? BRING THE OUTSIDE IN: LOOSE PARTS • Versatile Natural Materials • • • • • • • • • • •
Wood Grass Dirt Water Sticks Pebbles Moss Shells Flowers Acorns Pinecones
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT PLAY? ART • Art ≠ Craft • Use Natural Materials • Creativity is KING!
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT PLAY? FREE CHOICE • Encourage Options! • Encourage ecision making! • Encourage negotiation! • Encourage Creativity! …and be ok with the result.
WHAT IS IT? • Word Association • • • •
Write “Nature” on ½ of page & “Play” on the other Brainstorm words for Nature Do the same for Play Draw a line between related words
• Discuss your word associations with those around you. Did you list similar words? Did you connect similar words? Were there any surprises?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? • Partner Activity • Write down your own definition, then share with the person(s) next to you. • Discuss similarities and differences
• Everybody up! • Sit down only if your definition had words like… NATURE
OUTDOORS/OUTSIDE PLAY
FREE CHOICE
ENVIRONMENT NATURAL
ADVENTURE
EXPLORE FUN
NO BUT REALLY… WHAT DOES IT MEAN? • There’s no definition! • Playing. In. Nature. • Looks different for different people!
BENEFITS OF PLAY • Increased sense of wonder and imagination • Increased observational skills and curiosity • Improved awareness and ability to concentrate • Increased joy and confidence • Enhanced social skills and self-efficacy • Increased problem-solving and critical thinking skills • Increased interest in and concern for the environment
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT PLAY? GET OUTSIDE
• Create Daily Outdoors Time
• Create an Outdoor Classroom
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT PLAY? BRING THE OUTSIDE IN: LOOSE PARTS • Versatile Natural Materials • • • • • • • • • • •
Wood Grass Dirt Water Sticks Pebbles Moss Shells Flowers Acorns Pinecones
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT PLAY? ART • Art ≠ Craft • Use Natural Materials • Creativity is KING!
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT PLAY? FREE CHOICE • Encourage Options! • Encourage ecision making! • Encourage negotiation! • Encourage Creativity! …and be ok with the result.
