I can already imagine spring on its way… and with warmer weather comes the opportunity to get outdoors with the kids! Here is a clever idea for using an outdoor screened-in porch as a preschool learning room — what a great way to get some fresh air and spend time with your little ones as they stay busy!
Deborah from Teach Preschool transformed this porch into a haven for preschool learning. Here's what she had to say about the project:
I turned an outdoor screened in porch into an outdoor preschool classroom environment. Wanting to stay within the scheme of the house as well as the natural environment, I went with soft colors around the room but added a splash of color to give the room a preschool feel. The classroom is in a wooded setting with large screened in windows so the children can see outdoors at all times.
I pulled more colors out with my selection of floor coverings and furniture. I filled the classroom space with homemade water tables, tinkertable, and window easel.
This space is intended to invite young children to explore their environment through hands-on play yet shield them from all the bugs (like bees) that can make the learning experience not so comfortable.
The best part about the outdoor classroom play is that when the water runs over the edge or the sand scoops out on the floor, it falls to the ground below the porch.
What we don't do is bring food items into the outdoor classroom - no need to invite unwanted critters to join us inside the classroom - we will go and visit them when we head outdoors.
Thanks, Deborah! Find more inspiring ideas for preschoolers on her blog, Teach Preschool.
(Images: Teach Preschool)
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Awesome!
Very very cool. Amazing that these kids have a space to create, without too much toy clutter. My kids' play space is a bit less art a bit more 'stuff' these days - it just started to evolve that way and am wondering how to re-think it so it's a bit more deliberate. The art stuff is there but gets a bit overshadowed by all the trinkets/puzzles/lego etc..
Wondering what the yellow-framed glass/plastic window thing is?
@dream - I wondered that too so I explored her site. She uses them as easels and they put all types of different materials on them. Here is the link: Outdoor Classroom
Lovely place to learn and grow...Bringing the outside in by way of windows is wonderful. My only thought is how do the kids handle the space if it's cold, breezy and rainy?
I've been following Deborah on Facebook for the past few years... she has some really cute ideas. I knew that this was her outdoor classroom just by looking at the pictures! While I love the idea of an outdoor classroom, I personally would have stayed away from the primary colors. I'm a big fan of the Reggio Emilia look (very natural and home-like), since it tends to be a bit more calming than lots of bright colors. But I would totally love to have an outdoor classroom of my very own!
i love this.
Hi @LyonStill,
We shut the classroom down during the bitter cold days of winter because it is too cold for use. I have an indoor classroom too that we use. But for moderately cold weather, we just modify the types of activities we do so that the children can still be out there as much into the colder seasons as possible. Warm water for waterplay instead of cold and so on.
The yellow window easel is used for painting, shave cream, dry erase markers, foam stickons, gel stickons, window washing, and so on. It is always in use and needs repainted now!
@MadeItToTheMoon - With the classroom being surrounded by very large windows and very little wall space, the children still play extremely calm in this space. I also am a big fan of the Reggio Emilia but with a splash of color:) Hey - and thanks for being a longtime follower! That rocks!