The last few weeks we have been spending a lot of time outdoors. At Meadowbrook we have a natural playscape, which gives opportunities for children to explore the natural world and its affordances. The environmental affordances of the natural playground result in construction, cooperation, collaboration and imaginative play. In the spring long unseen loose parts are uncovered, such as the stepping logs, sticks, rocks, and hay. These open-ended materials are inspiration for many possibilities in cooperative play. The addition of water from melting snow promotes mud play, digging, and other purposeful play. Construction zones are created by the children. The pathways in the woods that have been carved over many years and with many small feet become active again.
We have also been returning outside in the afternoon to play cooperative games on the pavement in front of the classroom. The children enjoyed drawing on the pavement with chalk and playing hop scotch.
This past Monday we had French class with Madam outside on the pavement and this afternoon we brought our yoga mats outside. Sun salutations are better in the sunshine! We listened to the sounds in our community during meditation. Some of the sounds the children shared that they heard were: birds, voices of people, a truck motor, and the wind.
cobra pose boat pose
Did you know that Dr. Maria Montessori often took her students outdoors for study and play at the Casa dei Bambini?
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