Each month we want to celebrate an Educator that is making a big contribution to Early Childhood Education.
This month, we would like to highlight Kirstie Stockx - Kirstie has included both of the monthly themes in her design and implementation of her outdoor classroom. She has beautifully illustrated how children can make a connection between their environment and the food that they eat. Kirstie has fostered an expansive garden where children are encouraged to grow their own food - beans, strawberries, tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkin, lemon, lilly pilly, leafy greens and much more! Her garden-to-plate mentality provides the children with a valuable understanding and respect towards nature which cultivates a mindset of patience, growth and adaptability. Once a fruit or vegetable is ready to be picked, Kirstie cooks something with the children so they are part of the whole process. These important activities encourage mindsets that help children throughout their lives whether it be interpersonal relationships, their own belonging and purpose in the world or steady approaches towards completing goals.
What is an outdoor classroom?
Gardening is a healthy, fun activity for children of all ages. In the garden children develop new skills and learn about science and nature from growing their own food. Children also learn important life and social skills.
There are a number of interesting activities children can be involved in, such as planting, mulching, weeding and cooking. Children are naturally curious and will find new ways to explore your garden classroom
If you are unsure where to start you can contact your local community garden. We found Mohammad at Gravel Hill gardens in Bendigo - he was so knowledgeable and generous with his time. A big thank you to him.
Gardens are for all the senses. Children can run, touch, feel, climb, roll, breath, smell, taste, hear, hold, measure, see, own, and share.
Gardens also teach
- Responsibility– from caring for plants
- Understanding– as they learn about cause and effect (that plants die without water, and weeds compete with plants)
- Self-confidence – from achieving their goals and enjoying the food they have grown
- Love of nature – a chance to learn about the outdoor environment in a safe and pleasant place
- Reasoning and discovery – learning about the science of plants, animals, weather, the environment, nutrition and simple construction
- Physical activity – doing something fun and productive
- Cooperation– including shared play activity and teamwork
- Creativity– finding new and exciting ways to grow food
- Nutrition – learning about where fresh food comes from.
Now let me introduce you to Kirsty’s outdoor classroom. Kirsty runs her family day care in Bendigo and I am sure you will agree that she is doing something quite incredible. Kirsty is the 2020 winner of Dragonfly Toys $500 resource voucher for Ignite Minds best outdoor classroom.
You will notice in Kisty’s garden classroom that children have opportunities to learn to collaborate, empathise and interact respectfully with each other. I invite you to think about how does your physical environment:
- encourage children to act independently?
- promote and encourage interactions with other children?
- support children to understand their own feelings and develop empathy towards others?
- encourage responsive relationships between educators and children?
- assist educators to turn spontaneous opportunities into intentional teaching experiences?
- Does our physical environment to reflect the respectful image we have of children as capable and competent?
What a treat. I hope that you are as inspired as I am to create lots of little learning experiences in your backyard.
And it's not over yet. As we were leaving Kirsty was explaining her future plans to extend on the learning experiences she offers.