Learning Experiences

APLH believes that a great outdoors becomes a vast canvas of exploration and discovery for toddlers. With boundless curiosity and an innate sense of wonder, toddlers thrive in outdoor settings where their senses are awakened, motor skills are honed, and their understanding of the world expands. In this article, we'll dive into the captivating realm of outdoor learning experiences for all our children, highlighting the benefits and suggesting exciting activities to engage their young minds.

The outdoors is an ever-changing classroom where APLH students encounter the beauty of nature firsthand. From observing fluttering butterflies and buzzing bees to feeling the texture of leaves, grass, and rocks, nature provides a multisensory learning experience that stimulates their curiosity. Activities such as nature walks, scavenger hunts, and simply exploring the surround of our property allow APLH young learners to engage with the environment, fostering a sense of connection to the natural world.

Our outdoor environments offer a wealth of sensory experiences that can't be replicated indoors. The feeling of wind on their skin, the sound of rustling leaves, the scent of blooming flowers, and the sensation of mud squishing between their fingers all contribute to their sensory development. Sensory play activities like creating nature art using leaves and sticks, or exploring a sensory bin filled with natural materials, can provide endless opportunities for tactile and sensory exploration.

Our outdoor spaces offer the ideal arena for our children to develop their gross motor skills through running, jumping, climbing, and balancing. Our playgrounds, open fields, and natural landscapes encourage each one of our little ones to move their bodies in various ways, promoting strength, coordination, and agility. Whether they're climbing up a gentle hill, swinging on a swing, or rolling down a grassy slope, these physical activities lay the foundation for their overall motor development.

We believe that the outdoors experiences ignite a child's imagination in unique ways. A fallen log becomes a pirate ship, a pile of leaves transforms into a secret hideout, and a patch of dirt becomes a canvas for artistic expression. The open space and natural materials allow for unstructured play, enabling toddlers to invent stories, scenarios, and games that fuel their creative thinking.

Outdoor learning experiences for toddlers are not just about fun; they are crucial to their holistic development. The great outdoors provides a space where their senses come alive, their bodies strengthen, their minds expand, and their social skills flourish. By encouraging our children to explore, play, and learn in natural settings, we offer them a wealth of opportunities to develop a deep connection with the world around them. As caregivers and educators, we have the privilege of nurturing their love for outdoor exploration, setting the stage for a lifetime of curiosity and appreciation for the wonders of nature.