Take Me Outside Day

CBC – Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is my most favorite radio station in Canada. I listen to it everyday for news, current events and I find that every time I tune to the station, I always learn something. It is my classroom since I left university and started working.

Today as I was driving there was a report about the  Toronto District School Board’s  “Take Me Outside Day “

– Students at the schools went outside for an hour today. 

CBC interviewed the principal of a school in Toronto who informed listeners that her  kindergarten students go outside everyday for two hours a day.

When asked what could the students do and learn outside, the principal replied,

“ Students learn a lot  going outside such as Language, and Math, for example building things with twigs, logs and observing the patterns in nature i.e. small, big, as well as graphing what they have observed and problem
solving skills.

When they come inside the school, students draw pictures, talk and discuss what they have done outside. After they spend so much time outdoors, children are tired and have good appetite. When they go home, they eat and sleep better.”

The principals also explained that it’s the school's philosophy that students spend time outdoors each day rain or shine and parents are asked to dress their children for the weather. “

What an excellent  idea! I applaud the Toronto Board of Education of  this initiative and hats off to the principals who encourage students to take their learning outdoors!

In our modern day  society when technology seems to be taking over our lives most of time,  children and adults alike are becoming more sedentary with eyes and hands glue to their media and computer devices.

 Since so much our days are spent on electronic gadgets, there is little time left to smell the roses, admire the beauty of nature or simply take walks and enjoy good conversations with friends and families on a one to one face to face basis. 

As an educator all my life, I heartily agree and applaud the TDSB’s initiative of “Take Me Outside Day”, We need to encourage not just students but all citizens to do the same – be outside for an hour a day – walking, strolling, running, stopping by neighbourhood stores and chat , dropping in on friends and have a cup of coffee. We need to reconnect and interact with our fellow human beings on a personal level rather than fixing our eyes on machines, texting curt one line message to each other.

 I sincerely hope that the “ Take me Outside Day” will go beyond TDSB schools, spread and become a movement like the Earth Day!

R.T.

Toronto

October 24, 2013