CCEA visits Local Schools to celebrate Outdoor Classroom Day
CCEA Interim Chief Executive Margaret Farragher and Corinne Latham, Interim Director of Curriculum and Assessment, visited a number of schools to celebrate Outdoor Classroom Day held on 4 November.
Speaking of the global movement, designed to inspire and celebrate play and learning outside of the traditional classroom setting, Margaret explained:
Outdoor Classroom Day is an important event that helps support the well-being and development of learning in young children.
Cathy Hunter, Principal of St. Comgall’s Primary School, Bangor, showed Margaret how pupil’s avail of outdoor learning facilities such as Investigation Stations, Water Play Areas, an Eco Garden and Greenhouse that encourage children to connect with the natural world around them.
“I enjoyed being with the pupils at St Comgall’s and it is encouraging to see children flourish in an outdoor setting as they explore and interact with natural materials, shapes and sounds,” added Margaret.
Meanwhile, Corinne visited Mossley Nursery School, Newtownabbey, where Principal Julia Henderson demonstrated how facilities such as a Forest Area, Greenhouse, Log Cabin, Mud Kitchens and Water Play Areas enabled children to explore outdoor learning.
Commenting on the activities Corinne said:
It’s wonderful to see the bright, happy faces of children who love to learn outdoors. Teaching students from a young age about the importance of nature and their environment will help equip them with skills they need later in life – and it’s fun too!”
If you or your school would like to get involved in Outdoor Classroom Day, visit the website:
Alternatively, CCEA has Learning Outdoors in the Early Years resources, which can be found below:
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