All dollars raised on North Texas Giving Day will support initiatives at Oak Hill Academy

OUTDOOR LEARNING

Oak Hill Academy’s campus provides rich opportunities for the students to explore and discover the outdoors. These experiences are vital and will aid in developing a love for protecting the Earth, reducing anxiety, increasing confidence and a willingness to take risks in a more secure environment. We desire to create a place of intrigue and wonder and provide opportunities for discovery and connection.  Upcoming enhancements to our garden spaces for the benefit of outdoor learning include:

• Greenhouse upgrades
• Koi pond overhaul
• Preparation of chicken coop to welcome back feathered friends
• Stackable outdoor chairs for multiple classroom configurations
• Bench swings
• Gardening plots
• Outdoor dry erase boards

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidance on reopening schools lists “utilize outdoor spaces when possible” as a high-priority strategy. Therefore, we are encouraging teachers to take advantage of our spacious Learning Garden and utilize it as a “classroom.” Pandemic aside, there are numerous social-emotional and academic benefits to spending time outdoors, including:

• Multisensory learning: Most children learn better by using their senses; outdoor learning provides children with hands-on experiences in nature.
• In outdoor settings, children are more motivated to work together in groups, which can improve their social skills. They learn to manage conflicts, communicate, and cooperate with their peers in a more effective manner.
• Students who get to experience an outdoor learning environment tend to be more attentive and, therefore, have a better recollection of the information that was shared.