Strengthening Parent Communication: A Guide for Educators to Engage Parents in the Outdoor Classroom Experience
Educators understand the value of parents’ involvement in a child's education. Nature-based learning offers many benefits for children, and it’s important to keep parents informed and engaged in their children’s nature classroom experiences. In this guide, we’ll discuss effective ways to communicate with parents and offer insights on how to maximize the outdoor classroom journey for both students and their families.
Introducing the Outdoor Classroom to Parents
To effectively communicate the objectives and principles behind the outdoor classroom, educators need to provide parents with a clear understanding of its purpose. When introducing the concept to parents, it’s helpful to explain the difference between traditional learning, which tends to focus more on academic achievements and standardized testing, and outdoor learning, which provides children with hands-on opportunities to develop problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork and emotional intelligence.
Addressing Concerns About Safety and Supervision
It’s important to address concerns that parents may have about outdoor classroom safety to establish trust and confidence. Be sure to share the safety measures and protocols in place to ensure children's well-being during outdoor activities. Reassure parents that the outdoor classroom staff are well-trained and attentive, providing adequate supervision during each session.
Describing Daily Routines and Activities
Parents may be curious about what their children's typical day looks like in the outdoor classroom. Describe the routines and activities that children engage in during their time outdoors. From mud kitchen creations and open play to creative arts and gardening, paint a picture of the different learning opportunities the outdoor classroom offers.
Integrating the Outdoor Classroom with Indoor Curriculum
Chances are, you’ll use a mixture of outdoor and indoor environments in your curriculum, so it’s also important to explain how the two learning styles can complement each other. Explain how core subjects are incorporated into nature-based learning experiences. Share examples of lessons that seamlessly blend between the indoor and outdoor settings, demonstrating how the outdoor classroom complements and enriches traditional learning.
Sharing Nature Exploration and Adventure Stories
Chances are, children will go home each day excited to share about their outdoor classroom adventures. Parents love to hear these stories, so as you start communicating with parents about the outdoor classroom experience, be sure to share stories of students discovering insects and uncovering hidden treasures. These stories may motivate parents to look for their own ways to support and reinforce the lessons learned in the outdoor classroom at home.
Encouraging Parents to Foster a Love for Nature
Educators can encourage parents to nurture their child's connection with nature outside of school. Provide suggestions for family-friendly outdoor activities, such as backyard bug hunting, picnicking and star gazing. Emphasize the value of spending quality time in nature as a family and how these experiences can reinforce the lessons learned in the outdoor classroom.
Addressing Concerns and Encouraging Open Dialogue
Acknowledge that parents may have concerns about outdoor learning, such as weather-related issues or potential risks. Encourage open dialogue and invite parents to ask questions and seek clarification on anything they may find unclear.
Documenting and Sharing Outdoor Classroom Moments
Parents cherish memories of their children's growth and development. You can document and share the magical moments students experience in the outdoor classroom through photos and videos to provide regular updates to parents. Another fun way to document for parents is to have children journal about their experiences each day. There’s no better way to tell the story from a child’s perspective.
Creating Opportunities for Feedback and Collaboration
Closing the communication loop with parents is important. Establish platforms for open communication, such as parent-teacher conferences, surveys, or regular email updates. Encourage parents to share feedback, suggestions, and concerns openly, as their input can help shape the future of your outdoor classroom curriculum.
Wrap-Up
As an outdoor classroom design-build company led by people that are also parents, we know the importance of communication between educators and parents. That communication leads to support for outdoor learning initiatives, motivation for continued learning and a more positive perception of education in general.
We understand that as an outdoor classroom educator, you have a lot to balance, but each day, you’re creating a well-rounded and enriched educational experience for your students. Keep up the good work!