ADVENTURES IN NATURE: (Projects for 3-6 year olds)

摘要

In the book's Foreword, Professor Colwyn Trevarthen (University of Edinburgh) states that 'direct contact with the natural environment is hugely important for children's development, and how they experience it.' What follows is how nursery school teachers in northern Italy have focused on using the local natural environment to develop their children's confidence and skills of communication and cooperation. Nursery teachers in Verona undertake training to take children on regular outings to experience simple discoveries outdoors,rnstarting during the child's first year at the nursery. For example, 3 year olds explore woodlands, building dens and setting up a picnic area; older children (5-7 year olds) use maps and go orienteering in the woods, or a group of expert mountain climbers may take them out climbing with ropes in the hills nearby. 'Learning paths' are followed from the earliest months at the nursery which prepare the youngsters for further explorations throughout the year, whether in the school garden, the local woodland, or even (for 5 year olds) rafting on the river. The children are included in all stages of planning and recording their outdoor adventures, and there is a detailed description of how some of them overcame their fear of the dark before embarking on an expedition along underground passages and caves.