In Ontario they are implementing fulltime kindergarten starting at four years of age. It can be a wonderful opportunity for Ontario’s children but could run the risk of introducing too much “classroom instruction” too early and further reduce outdoor time for preschoolers.
In Ontario they are implementing fulltime kindergarten starting at four years of age. It can be a wonderful opportunity for Ontario’s children but could run the risk of introducing too much “classroom instruction” too early and further reduce outdoor time for preschoolers.
Any arguments that this is not an issue can be deflected by Active Healthy Kid’s report card In 2010 they failed Canadian children from 0-5 years old. It is not the lack of organized sports that these young children are participating in, but the simple lack of active play that is ringing alarm bells.
I was filled with hope to watch a recent update about Carp Ridge Forest School, an early childhood education pioneer in Ottawa, Canada. Two years ago they opened their forest to preschoolers for their four seasons outdoor program. This program was met with both excitement and controversy and their successes and experiences will further show both parents and educators that children thrive outside all year round in all kinds of weather. I hope it will inspirer and create some debate in the kindergarten world about the need for outdoor early childhood education.
