Smorgasbord Reblog – #Pre-School Nature is the Greatest Teacher for Children by Jennie Fitzkee

Jennie Fitzkee is back at school and shares how valuable it is for children to spend time outside exploring nature and discovering new things for themselves.. Head over to the post to read the newsletter that Jennie sends to the parents including some great photos of children learning by experiencing.

Nature is the Greatest Teacher for Children by Jennie Fitzkee

Covid-19 has actually made teachers rethink how to best teach young children. At school, we decided that spending more time outside is better for children. We teachers all know the benefits of nature, yet the demands of what children need to learn, including providing opportunities for technology, have pushed nature aside over the years.

Not this year!

At last we are back to basics, the root of investigating and discovery. Thank goodness.

The erosion of outdoor play in schools, and also art and music, has been a thorn in my side for decades. Parents want their child to succeed, and they think computer programs and phonics are the way to go. They want school to have straight instruction. The problem is, children need to figure things out on their own, and that happens with teacher and parent support, not direction.

Public schools answer to parents. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could educate parents? Schools might look different. I figured this out decades ago. If I educate parents, I am helping the child, too. Parents are always hungry to learn, and isn’t it better to learn straight from the teacher? Makes perfect sense to me.

That is why I write newsletters to families. They soak up everything, because they care about their child and they truly want to learn.

Back to the topic of nature… here is the newsletter I sent to families. I will be able to build upon this and explain in detail how math and science and writing and stories ‘happen’.

Hi Families,

Head over to read the newsletter and enjoy seeing children’s engagement at being out and about: Nature is the Greatest Teacher for Children by Jennie Fitzkee

About Jennie Fitzkee

I have been teaching preschool for over thirty years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It’s the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That’s what I write about.

I am highlighted in the the new edition of Jim Trelease’s bestselling book, “The Read-Aloud Handbook” because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at both the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, and the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital.

Connect to Jennie – Blog: Jennie Fitzkee – Facebook: Jennie Fitzkee – Twitter: @jlfatgcs

 

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you will head over to read Jennie’s post in full thanks Sally.