In 1911 they understood that fresh air was the ONLY way forward....
Back then it was Tuberculosis that was the threat to life and many countries in Europe and the USA looked to nature, both to eliminate it but also to alleviate it. So the excuses that it cannot be done in urban areas gets a little knocked when the picture above is in Birmingham UK.
Yet we continue to look to children coming back into places where the outside is added on at the last moment (or is not available). Until we know more - let's take a leaf out of the sense and knowledge and understanding of the past. Our children are too important to do less.
And in case you want to say that this was just a single happening, if a single picture says 1000 words - here re 6,000 words to show this was not an isolated incident....
All you need to do is take the indoors out... and for those that want to chant about cold and wet....
So PLEASE look to the outdoors.
Installation Artist
4 年Many years ago I worked in a fabulous school in Thorne East Yorkshire, "Green Top Primary". If it is still there it might be worth looking up. I remember the building having a fantastic sort of Art Deco (ness) about it with a green-glazed pan tiled roof and classrooms built around a quadrant with loads of sliding panels and moving walls. I hope I am not over egging with memory? I obviously asked teachers what it was like working there and I am sure that I remember one teacher saying that it was boiling in Summer and freezing and draughty in Winter. I remember saying yes it is! https://flashbak.com/the-womens-league-of-health-and-beauty-nazis-pilates-and-the-birth-of-the-keep-fit-movement-4580/
Founder of Additional Needs Sports Group, Additional Needs Ambassador, DIAS Ambassador Volunteer.
4 年Absolutely agree. So many benefits from being outside, and hopefully this will lay the foundation for a new approach to early years and further education. x
‘Let’s Play’ General Manager, Edx Education UK, Author
4 年https://www.messynessychic.com/2016/03/15/classrooms-without-walls-a-forgotten-age-of-open-air-schools/
Being brave for Children & Families | Experienced C level exec | ELC Advisor| MSc Entrepreneurial Leadership
4 年Absolutely agree Tom. After #InternationalPlayIceland I joined Thrive Outdoors Inspiring Scotland - We directed a series of films recently for Scottish Government promoting #outdoorplay based learning that I think you and yours will love.. this is Film #4 on location at Edinburgh Forest Kindergarten The City of Edinburgh Council https://youtu.be/Txtl_DHNaik Filmmaker Michael Westcott