Aday in school for Grade 7 learner, Zia Hendriks, could mean watering vegetables, playing in the mud, building a water slide or finding different insects.<\/p>\n
All while learning valuable skills.<\/p>\n
Pharos School in Jeffreys Bay is set to launch the first nature-based school in the Kouga region at the beginning of next year \u2013 seeing learning become an adventure. <\/p>\n
Principal Fanie Vermaak says, \u201cThe nature-based school will combine traditional learning experiences with outdoor nature-based learning and play.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe programme will include, but not be limited to, a natural obstacle course, the feeding of animals, a mud \u2018kitchen\u2019, a natural sandpit and different walking trails in close proximity to the school.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe programme is not only about the outdoors, it is also nature-based. Nature is at the core of the curriculum with extensive daily outdoor time. Through innovative teaching methods, the elements of nature will be integrated in all learning areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Learners aged six will spend at least 40% of their time at school outside the classroom \u2013 learning through play and hands-on discovery. Learners between seven and nine years, will spend at least 20% of their class time in nature, while time spend outdoors will become an important part of Grade 4 to Grade 7 learners\u2019 current curri-culum. <\/p>\n
According to him, nature-based learning, as part of the holistic development of children, will not only enhance learners\u2019 well-being, but it will also encourage stewardship and develop their spirituality.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy integrating a nature-based programme, we want to create a natural, joyful and rich learning environment with abundant opportunities to create, discover, explore and play,\u201d Vermaak says.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is our aim to develop confident, resi-lient and creative learners with a solid spi-ritual and educational foundation, as well as a love of learning.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Aday in school for Grade 7 learner, Zia Hendriks, could mean watering vegetables, playing in the mud, building a water slide or finding different 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