Nature Education

Our campus is nestled within an expansive property filled with organic coconut, mango, palm, oak, avocado, and banana trees. The huge yard allows for a natural playscape where children participate in diverse sensory experiences with dirt, sand, water, and mud.  

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We believe that nature is, without a doubt, one of our greatest teachers for children and adults.  Exploration in nature supports a child's investigative process by giving them the opportunity and tools needed to spark their critical and higher order thinking skills.

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Spending time outside in the fresh air and gardening, both have wonderful health and therapeutic benefits too! Participation in the gardening program and harvesting fruits and vegetables help children to attain a greater understanding of how to respect and take care of the environment, learn about natural materials, adopt self-preservation skills, understand cause and effect,  enhance their nurturing character traits, and it inspires healthy eating habits. Students will also be exposed to concepts such as the relationships of plants and animals, solar energy, plant life cycles, photosynthesis, cooperation, environmental stewardship and ecological awareness. 

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Day-to-day instruction will take place indoors and outdoors. The benefits of the outdoor classroom is as follows: 

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Physical:

• An increase in physical development, capability, and activity

• Setting up patterns for an active, healthy lifestyle

• Fewer children suffering from diseases such as obesity, Diabetes, and ADD/ADHD

 

 Cognitive:

• Stronger language, problem-solving, and communication skills through projects and group activity

• Developing an interest in science and math through connecting with nature

• Fostering learning through self-initiation, control, and personal responsibility

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Psychological:

• Happier

• Higher, more positive self-esteem

• Effective relationship building in a cooperative, non-competitive environment

• Building a healthy and balanced internal psychology from time spent alone

• Manifesting classroom harmony

• Social-emotional mastery

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Understanding:

• Familiarity with and appreciation of nature

• Wide, expansive view of how the world works

• Building stewardship skills for the environment 

SOURCE:  https://outdoorclassroomproject.org/about/the-outdoor-classroom/

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Compass Outreach and Education Center is a proud member of the Natural Start Alliance a project of the North American Association for Environmental Education.