OUTDOOR NATURE CLASSROOM

Tarndeep SodhiDasuny Wijewardena

Fatma TopyurekNawang YangchenEwelina Mrozowski

Innovative ServiceSegment of Focus The importance of nature and early

childhood

Target Customer: Families with children ages 3 – 5 years

old Importance of nature from a young age

Innovative Service

Innovative Service: “The Outdoor Nature Classroom”

Nature after school program Hours:

Monday – Friday : 3:00pm – 6:00pm Location: Recreational Centre in Toronto Focus on different developmental areas Learning areas: science, math, language,

music, drama, art and sensory

Mission StatementThe nature afterschool program’s mission is to work with families, to allow children to reconnect with nature, and provide them with a safe learning environment which will assist in enhancing their childhood development.

(Andrews, 2009) (Getsloff, 2011)(McKay, 2011)

Jingle Having fun with all our friends, is only

where the adventure begin. In nature there's so much to do, this

program is where our dreams come true. Math, Science and Language too, there

is just so much we could do! 'Cause having fun isn't hard when you

got “Programs name”!

COMPETITION AND VALUE

Competition Ontario Government Brings the Outdoors to the Classroom

A website based learning experience where students can print lesson plans and explore parks. But not natural classroom.

CAMPSITE24 WEBSITE Interactive, educational website to help young people learn

about Ontario's provincial parks and natural resources

Discovery Child Care Centre in Barrie 1st certified nature explore classroom in Canada. However, it's

an outdoors program.

Toronto’s Outdoor Education Schools, and The Blaydon Outdoor Classroom These are outdoor programs.

International Competition

The University of Puget Sound in Tacoma Washington offers Nature in the classroom. “Students will gain an appreciation for and familiarity with the natural world as they practice observation skills and study structure, function, adaptations and interactions among species” (The University of Puget Sound)

(Wimberger, 2014)(Wimberger, 2014)

Value Allows children to :

Be more encouraged and more aware about the environment.

Learn about science: biology and weather patterns.

Be engaged in natural materials such as bones, shells, leaves, seeds, and other earth products

Learn about species and types of animals. Learn about planting.

(Stephen, 2014) (Sheryl, 2009)

ANTICIPATED COSTS

Cost per child

$4.00 for three hours

$240.00 seasonal

(WordPress, 2014)

Seasonal $240.00 Required to be registered for

the season.

Winter: December – February

Spring: March – May

Summer: June- August

Fall: September – November (NetLZ Consulting , 2011)

Fee SubsidyWho is eligible?

Residents of Toronto Income below the Stats Canada

Low-Income Cut off’s (LICO’s).

(Toronto, 2014)

What can subsidy be used for?

Reduction in cost for the program

Proof of income is required to be eligible for fee subsidy

(Swaran, 2014)

MARKETING

Marketing Strategies Brochure to be sent out to the regional school

boards and daycare centres regarding the benefits of this unique service

Reach out to various ECE Leaders to receive endorsements and present the benefits of the indoor classroom.

Reach out to various environmental organization to sponsor this project. As well, the royal Ontario Museum for support.

HOW WELL THE INNOVATION WAS

RECEIVED

Service well received Surveys were handed out to teachers,

families and the community Results showed that majority loved the

idea of the service and would like to test it out

Survey also proved that families are excited for their children to be a lot more involved with nature

Teachers strongly believe that the service will enhance children’s development strongly

Survey QuestionsRate a scale from 1 -10 (1 being the least and 10 being the highest)1. How would you rate the idea of the service?2. How excited are you to implement the service in the school?3. How likely are you to recommend our service?4. How frequently would you use the service?5. How best does the schedule work for you?6. How well do you believe this service will work best for children?7. How well do you believe this service will be effective in

children’s development? 8. How often would you allow children to get involved with nature?9. How strongly do you believe this service will work?10. How strongly do you support this service?

WHY INVEST IN OUR INNOVATION?

Why should you invest in our innovation? Why is it important?

Questions: 1. You are probably sitting in your chair

and asking yourself, why should I invest in this program?

2. Well ask yourself this, how much time a day do your child/children play with natural materials?

3. Are you providing your child/children with natural materials daily?

Information In today’s society, children and families

often have limited opportunities to connect with the natural environment.

Richard Louv, the inspiring author behind the book, The Last Child in the Woods calls this “nature-deficit disorder”. Through this book he shows us how important nature is to a child’s development.

(Deffenbaugh, 2008)

Information Many studies that have been completed

over the years have proven that, there is a significant impact on a child’s social, psychological, academic and physical health if that child has daily contact with nature (North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education, 2012).

Benefits of the Program:

Some examples of the positive impact of nature are;

it supports multiple developmental domains, supports creativity and problem solving, enhances cognitive abilities, improves academic performance, reduces attention deficit disorder, improves social relations and reduces stress

(North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education, 2012).

ReferencesAndrews, T. (2009). Gomez Elementary Enjoying Outdoor Classroom. OPS News. Retrieved from https://www.ops.org/district/CENTRALOFFICES/DistrictCommunications/OPSNews/

tabid/1594/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/67/Gomez-Elementary-Enjoying-Outdoor-Classroom.aspx

Deffenbaugh, D. (2008). Last Child in the Woods. Prairie Fire. Retrieved from http://www.prairiefirenewspaper.com/2008/02/book-review-last-child-in-the-woods

Getsloff, A. (2011). Boys & Girls Learn Differently. Essence Extractor. Retrieved from http://boysgirlslearndifferently.blogspot.ca/2011_02_01_archive.html

McKay, T. (2011). Kid-friendly gardening projects. Parenting RSS. Retrieved from http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/827275/kid-friendly-gardening-projects

NetLZ Consulting. (2011). Top Seo Blog. Retrieved from http://www.netlz.com/seo-blog/2013/01/01/seo-for-seasonal-businesses/

Sheryl, M. (2009). A Collection of Sensory Table Ideas. Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds. Retrieved from http://www.teaching2and3yearolds.com/2013/01/a-collection-of-sensory-table-

ideas.html

Stephen, C. (2014). Outdoor classrooms educate students naturally. www.canada.com. Retrieved from http://www.canada.com/life/Outdoor+classrooms+educate+students+naturally/

1893719/story.html

Swaran, S. (2014). Marketing. Income Proof. Retrieved from http://freetime1smsjob.blogspot.ca/p/income-proof.html

Toronto Pearson International Airport City Orientation and Maps. (2014). Map of Toronto Pearson Airport . Retrieved from http://toronto-yyz.airports-guides.com/yyz_airport_maps.html

Wimberger, P. (2014). Nature in the Classroom. University of Puget Sound. Retrieved from http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/education-

outreach/nature-in-the-classroom/

WordPress. (2014). Piggy Bank. Living with English. Retrieved from http://www.slowgetsthere.com/blog/stories-and-anecdotes/

OUTDOOR NATURE CLASSROOM

(Andrews, 2009)

(Getsloff, 2011)

(Sheryl, 2009)

(NetLZ Consulting , 2011)