Outdoor School Singapore

Rooted in Nature, Connected in Community, Enabling Futures

Outdoor School Singapore advocates for outdoor, nature-based, and community-centred experiences tailored for young children. Our programs empower them to reconnect with nature and their community, fostering appreciation and empathy for the world around them. This mission is particularly crucial in urban Singapore, where children have less opportunities to connect with the great outdoors and nature

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Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Web presence

2019

Established

16K

Children

1

Countries

Target group

Students early

Updated

April 2024

Learning opportunities for children extend far beyond the confines of traditional classrooms. Children thoroughly enjoy learning outdoors, discovering the wonders of the world around them, forging meaningful and lasting bonds with their environment, while experiencing healthy development across cognitive, physical, social and mental health.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

To ensure children in urban Singapore develop an early appreciation for the outdoors and nature, as well as the larger world beyond their classrooms. As pioneers in this innovative approach, we're committed to reshaping the educational landscape, where children not only excel academically but also forge enduring bonds with nature and the communities, ensuring a sustainable future for generations.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

During school days, together with the school teachers, children aged 4-6 years old will be participating in an 3-24 hours outdoor programme with us that include an outdoor hike in Singapore's nature reserves. Children will be invited to take part in a series of experiences ranging from nature hunt, stream exploration, mud play and solo confidence walk. In addition, children will be exercising their autonomy in conducting their risk assessment of the environment and applying safe judgement skills. During the school holiday, children will be invited for our community based programmes taking place in the neighbourhood. These programmes provide opportunities for children to get close to the residents in the community, local transportation system and food and heritage culture. Through these experiences, children will be embarking on their missions which led them to inquire about their community.

How has it been spreading?

Over the past few years, there has been a significant growth in the participation of preschools and children in our outdoor education programs. In 2020 and 2021, 500 children embarked on this journey, followed by a substantial increase in 2022, with 40 preschools and around 2000 children taking part. By 2023, the numbers surged even further, with 128 preschools and 7000 children engaging in our outdoor programs. This upward trajectory persisted into 2024, with a consistent involvement of 128 preschools, but now accommodating 7000 eager young learners. This exponential growth reflects the increasing recognition and appreciation for hands-on, nature-based education among preschools and parents alike, emphasising the importance of outdoor experiences in early childhood development.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

Check out our website (https://www.ntucfirstcampus.com/outdoorschool/)
Learn about our exciting adventures of our young explorers
Connect with us through emails or our social media and we love to share more with you!

Implementation steps

Current Challenges faced in your Country, Purpose and Success factors

In our country, one of the primary challenges is the increasing disconnection of children from nature and their communities due to urbanization and technological advancements. This trend has led to concerns about children's physical inactivity, limited exposure to outdoor environments, and diminished understanding of environmental issues.

Affordances in your Environment

Do your environment offers numerous affordances for learning and exploration?
(Refer to Affordance Theory by Gibbson)
Parks: Open spaces for physical activities, nature walks, and sensory experiences.
Nature Reserves: Biodiverse ecosystems for wildlife observation, plant identification, and ecological learning.
Trees and Hills: Opportunities for climbing, balancing, and imaginative play.
Water Bodies: Exploration of aquatic life and water play
Cultural Sites: Heritage trails

Connect with us! - Curation of Programme

Nature Walks: Guided hikes through parks and nature reserves, focusing on biodiversity, ecosystem interactions, and environmental stewardship.
Outdoor Exploration: Hands-on activities such as nature scavenger hunts, tree identification, and sensory experiences.
Community Engagement: Visits to cultural sites, local markets, and community centers to learn about heritage, traditions, and community resources.
Creative Expression: Nature-inspired art projects, storytelling sessions, etc

Collaboration with National Preschool Network

Conduct Sharing Sessions: Engage educators, school administrators, and parents in discussions about the importance of outdoor education and its benefits for child development.
Pilot Programs: Collaborate with a select group of preschools to pilot your program, gather feedback, and refine the curriculum based on outcomes and observations.
Provide Resources: Offer training, educational materials, and support to schools interested in implementation

Data Collection and Review

To ensure the effectiveness and continual improvement of our outdoor education programmes, we employ a comprehensive data collection and review process. This process involves gathering insights from various stakeholders, including children, educators, and parents, to evaluate the impact and success of the programs.
Data collected from observations, child feedback, educator reflections, and parent surveys are compiled and analyzed to assess the overall effectiveness of the programs.