Little Nomads is proud to be an outdoor early education specialist in Vancouver. The outdoor education approach was inspired by European nature kindergartens, and has since become high on the agenda of many education systems around the world, including here in BC. There have been numerous studies and research papers undertaken that not only explore why outdoor education is so important, but also delve into the science and biological benefits of nature play.
“Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives.”
― Thomas Berry, Cultural Historian
Time in nature is not leisure time; it’s an essential investment in our children’s health (and also, by the way, in our own).”
― Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder
Richard Louv took the outdoor education world by storm with his book “Last Child in the Woods”, which explores the relationship between nature and childhood. He highlighted something called the ‘nature deficit disorder’; the idea that human beings, especially children, are spending less time outdoors, and the belief that this change results in a wide range of behavioural problems. This had a huge impact on how we value outdoor time with children; it’s a childhood right, not a luxury. Little Nomads gives you the opportunity to invest in your child’s well being through our carefully designed outdoor programmes.
What are the benefits of playing in nature?
Being outside in nature significantly improves all aspects of child development, including physical, cognitive, social and emotional.
Being outdoors…
- brings out the best in children (and adults!)
- enhances creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving
- increases resilience and the ability to negotiate risks
- improves self-confidence and initiative
- encourages the joy of movement and supports development of motor skills
- nurtures imagination, experimentation, curiosity and wonder
- increases enthusiasm for and engagement with learning
- improves relationship skills and impulse control
- reduces anger, stress, and disruptive behavior
What are the benefits of exploring different places?
A central principle behind nature-based learning is creating a sense of place — familiar areas that children connect with on a regular basis and build a relationship with over time. At Little Nomads we value place based learning, where we use local people, cultures, landscapes, opportunities, and experiences to create a unique curriculum that is specific to where we live. By varying the locations and places in which children interact with nature, they are provided with ample opportunities to understand their environment, bond with it and become advocates for looking after it.