After-school programs are a valuable resource for many children and families, providing a safe and structured environment for children to learn and play once the school day is over.
Outdoor and environmental education in afterschool programs offers numerous benefits for children and adolescents. These programs provide valuable opportunities for learning and personal development that complement traditional classroom education. Here are some of the key reasons we’re working to incorporate outdoor and environmental education into afterschool programs:
- Hands-On Learning: Outdoor and environmental education allows students to engage in hands-on learning experiences that are often difficult to replicate in a classroom setting. They can observe natural phenomena, interact with the environment, and conduct experiments, which enhances their understanding of science and nature.
- Connection to the Natural World: Many children today spend a significant amount of time indoors, often connected to screens. Outdoor education helps them develop a deeper connection to the natural world, a sense of place within their community, and fosters a mentality of stewardship and responsibility for the environment.
- Physical Activity: Outdoor activities encourage physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Whether it’s splashing in a stream, running through a field, or climbing a tree, students are able to move their bodies in a fun and exciting way. Afterschool programs that include outdoor education provide opportunities for children to be active, reducing the risk of health problems and promoting overall well-being.
- Teamwork and Social Skills: Many outdoor and environmental activities require teamwork and cooperation. There are opportunities to share observations, collaborate on experiments and data collection, and explore new places together. Participating in group activities outdoors helps children develop social skills, learn how to communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts, all of which are essential life skills.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Outdoor and environmental education often involves challenges and problem-solving activities. Students learn to think critically, make decisions, and adapt to changing situations, which are valuable skills for academic and personal success.
- Environmental Awareness: These programs raise awareness about environmental issues and sustainability, teaching students about the importance of protecting the planet. This knowledge can inspire them to become environmentally responsible citizens.
- Increased Engagement: Outdoor activities are typically more engaging for children than traditional classroom lessons. Including outdoor and environmental education can help children stay motivated and excited about learning.
- Cultural and Historical Understanding: Outdoor education can also include learning about the cultural and historical aspects of the environment. For example, students can explore local ecosystems and learn about the indigenous cultures and histories connected to those places.
- Reduced Stress and Improved Mental Health: Spending time in natural settings has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. The ability to be present in nature can be a very calming experience. Demonstrating for students the ability to use these spaces as a coping mechanism for mental health struggles can better prepare them to engage in an increasingly complex world.
- Life-Long Love for Learning: Engaging in enjoyable and meaningful outdoor activities can instill a love for learning that extends beyond the afterschool program. It can inspire a lifelong interest in science, nature, and the environment.
Recent studies from the NC Center for Afterschool Programs and Dogwood Health Trust have shown a significant need from afterschool providers for more community resources; particularly in science, the outdoors, and social and emotional learning. Simultaneously, the Racial Justice Coalitions ‘Walk the Walk’ report shows a strong desire for out-of-school youth enrichment activities among families of color in the area.
Given these needs, RiverLink has been working to expand our free environmental education opportunities into the afterschool space. We are working to develop deep and authentic relationships with the many incredible organizations providing these services as well as the kids who participate in them. Our goal is to be a supportive resource for our partners and help them achieve their goals of improving the personal and academic success of their students. You can read more about these efforts here.
Incorporating outdoor and environmental education into afterschool programs offers a holistic approach to education, addressing not only academic knowledge but also physical, social, and emotional development. It provides children with a well-rounded educational experience that can have a lasting positive impact on their lives.
Programu za baada ya shule ni rasilimali muhimu kwa watoto wengi na familia, kutoa mazingira salama na muundo kwa watoto kujifunza na kucheza mara moja siku ya shule imekwisha. Elimu ya nje na ya mazingira katika programu za baada ya shule hutoa faida nyingi kwa watoto na vijana. Programu hizi hutoa fursa zenye thamani za kujifunza na maendeleo ya kibinafsi ambayo huongeza elimu ya kawaida ya darasani. Hapa ni baadhi ya sababu kuu sisi ni kazi ya kuingiza nje na elimu ya mazingira katika mipango ya baada ya shule: - Hands-On Learning: nje na elimu ya mazingira inaruhusu wanafunzi kushiriki katika uzoefu wa kujifunza mikono ambayo ni mara nyingi vigumu kuiga katika mazingira ya darasa. Wanaweza kuchunguza matukio ya asili, kuingiliana na mazingira, na kufanya majaribio, ambayo huongeza uelewa wao wa sayansi na asili. - Uunganisho na Ulimwengu wa Asili: Watoto wengi leo hutumia muda mwingi ndani ya nyumba, mara nyingi wanaunganishwa na skrini. Elimu ya nje huwawezesha kuendeleza uhusiano wa kina na mazingira, hisia ya mahali ndani ya jamii yao, na kukuza mtazamo wa usimamizi na wajibu kwa mazingira. - Shughuli za kimwili: Shughuli za nje huchochea mazoezi ya kimwili na mtindo wa maisha wenye afya. Iwe ni kuogelea katika kijito, kukimbia kupitia shamba, au kupanda mti, wanafunzi wanaweza kusonga miili yao kwa njia ya kufurahisha na ya kusisimua. Programu za baada ya shule ambazo hutia ndani elimu ya nje hutoa fursa kwa watoto kuwa hai, kupunguza hatari ya matatizo ya afya na kukuza ustawi wa jumla. - Kazi ya timu na ujuzi wa kijamii: Shughuli nyingi za nje na mazingira zinahitaji kazi ya timu na ushirikiano. Kuna fursa za kushiriki uchunguzi, kushirikiana katika majaribio na ukusanyaji wa data, na kuchunguza maeneo mapya pamoja. Kushiriki katika shughuli za kikundi nje husaidia watoto kuendeleza ujuzi wa kijamii, kujifunza jinsi ya kuwasiliana kwa ufanisi, na kutatua migogoro, ambayo yote ni ujuzi muhimu wa maisha. - Mawazo muhimu na kutatua matatizo: elimu ya nje na mazingira mara nyingi inahusisha changamoto na shughuli za kutatua matatizo. Wanafunzi hujifunza kufikiri kwa njia ya kukosoa, kufanya maamuzi, na kukabiliana na hali zinazobadilika, ambazo ni ujuzi muhimu kwa mafanikio ya kitaaluma na ya kibinafsi. - Ujuzi wa Mazingira: Programu hizi kuongeza ufahamu kuhusu masuala ya mazingira na uendelevu, kufundisha wanafunzi kuhusu umuhimu wa kulinda sayari. Ujuzi huo waweza kuwachochea kuwa raia wenye daraka kwa mazingira. - Kuongeza ushiriki: Shughuli za nje kwa kawaida ni zaidi ya kuvutia kwa watoto kuliko masomo ya kawaida ya darasa. Kuingiza elimu ya nje na ya mazingira kunaweza kuwasaidia watoto wawe na kichocheo na msisimko kuhusu kujifunza. - Uelewevu wa kitamaduni na kihistoria: Elimu ya nje inaweza pia kujumuisha kujifunza kuhusu masuala ya kitamaduni na kihistoria ya mazingira. Kwa mfano, wanafunzi wanaweza kuchunguza mifumo ya ikolojia ya mahali hapo na kujifunza kuhusu tamaduni na historia za wenyeji zilizounganishwa na maeneo hayo. - Kupunguza Mfadhaiko na Kuboresha Afya ya Akili: Kutumia wakati katika mazingira ya asili imeonyeshwa kupunguza mkazo na wasiwasi. Uwezo wa kuwapo katika asili waweza kuwa uzoefu wenye kutuliza sana. Kuonyesha kwa wanafunzi uwezo wa kutumia nafasi hizi kama utaratibu wa kukabiliana na mapambano ya afya ya akili inaweza kuwaandaa vizuri kushiriki katika ulimwengu unaozidi kuwa tata. - Upendo wa Kujifunza kwa Maisha Yake Yote: Kushiriki katika shughuli za nje zenye kufurahisha na zenye maana kwaweza kuchochea upendo wa kujifunza ambao huenea zaidi ya programu ya baada ya shule. Inaweza kuchochea upendezi wa maisha yote katika sayansi, asili, na mazingira. Uchunguzi wa hivi karibuni kutoka Kituo cha NC cha Programu za Baada ya Shule na Dogwood Health Trust umeonyesha haja kubwa kutoka kwa watoa huduma za baada ya shule kwa rasilimali zaidi za jamii, haswa katika sayansi, nje, na kujifunza kijamii na kihisia. Wakati huo huo, ripoti ya Racial Justice Coalitions 'Walk the Walk' inaonyesha hamu kubwa ya shughuli za utajiri wa vijana nje ya shule kati ya familia za rangi katika eneo hilo. Kwa kuzingatia mahitaji haya, RiverLink imekuwa ikifanya kazi kupanua fursa zetu za elimu ya mazingira ya bure katika nafasi ya baada ya shule. Tunafanya kazi ya kuendeleza mahusiano ya kina na ya kweli na mashirika mengi ya ajabu yanayotoa huduma hizi na watoto wanaoshiriki katika huduma hizo. Lengo letu ni kuwa rasilimali ya msaada kwa washirika wetu na kuwasaidia kufikia malengo yao ya kuboresha mafanikio ya kibinafsi na ya kitaaluma ya wanafunzi wao. Unaweza kusoma zaidi kuhusu jitihada hizi hapa. Kuingiza elimu ya nje na mazingira katika programu za baada ya shule hutoa mbinu ya jumla ya elimu, inayoshughulikia sio maarifa ya kitaaluma tu bali pia maendeleo ya kimwili, kijamii, na kihisia. Inatoa watoto uzoefu wa elimu kamili ambao unaweza kuwa na athari nzuri ya kudumu kwenye maisha yao.