By Sonam Singh

“Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves,” Ernest Dimnet

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think,” Margaret Mead

It’s very crucial that the kids as well as adults get ample space and time outdoors in order to engage in free play and unstructured learning amid nature. Such experiences of freedom are getting lost in cities. While children spend 60% of their day time in schools, the onus of providing more and more outdoor experiences, free learning and free play falls upon the schools. The school curriculum can be remolded to include as much as possible, outdoor learning and free play.

The J M International School located in Dwarka, New Delhi took up this challenge by celebrating India’s first ever Outdoor Classroom Day on October 12 this year. Ever since they first heard of and signed up for Outdoor Classroom Day India, they had been very excited about the campaign which aims to make the basic concept of holistic nature based learning and free play a universal concept across all Indian schools. Our interaction with the school principal Ms. Anuradha Govind revealed that the entire school was very excited about this amazing campaign on outdoor play and learning. Their zeal was palpable on October 12 given the electric atmosphere as we entered the school premises. The celebrations started at 8:30 in the morning with children from pre-nursery to standard III participating with gusto. Starting right at the main gate and spread across the entire campus; we could see vibrant colours of joy with children playing and learning outdoors.  Following is a glimpse of some fun outdoor play and learning sessions at the school;

   Learning daylight and shadow relation using dance and play with shadows

Not only were the kids completely engrossed in their play and subconscious learning, the teachers along with the principal also became kids with them!

Learning colors, textures, balance and team work, all at once through  outdoor play!

                  Learning balance, self control, and concentration

                                   Learning gross motor skills

               Balance and team work through sport

While we talked to the kids, they shared that they would love to have more and more classes  outdoors instead of inside closed classrooms. They further exclaimed that they get bored sitting in classrooms while the outdoor classroom provides a fun learning environment where they love to learn! The principal too pledged to support the cause of outdoor play and learning through the campaign. She shared that she strongly believes in the concept and over the years has been trying to promote outdoor play and learning through engagement with children and teachers at the school as well as through writing and publishing articles on the issue. She further shared that she along with her students and teachers looks forward to collaborate with Outdoor Classroom Day India in universalizing the concept across Indian schools so that no child is deprived of free play and outdoor learning anymore!

Sonam Singh is a Program Officer at Action for Children’s Environments (ACE) Trust [www.acetrust.net]