OUTDOOR AND NATURE PLAY

EDU3ONP

2017

Credit points: 15

This subject addresses La Trobe's Sustainability Thinking Essential. Sustainability Thinking entails deep appreciation of how the choices we make affects the natural, economic, social, political and cultural systems — now and in the future.

Subject outline

Students in this subject investigate the notion that unstructured play outdoors (nature play) is fundamental to a healthy childhood in that it provides benefits for health, cognitive, social and emotional development and helps to build resilience and creativity. Students also address the proposition that experience in nature as a child may lead to environmental sensitivity and responsibility later in life. Students design effective outdoor settings for children's nature play and manage aspects of safety while maximising exploration and free play. Students identify and document the learning that emerges from outdoor and nature play.

School: School of Education

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Leanne Grogan

Available to Study Abroad Students: No

Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG

Exchange Students: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: N/A

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsThe outdoor playspace naturally for children Birth to five years.PrescribedElliot, S. (Ed.)(2013)PADEMELON PRESS, N.S.W.
ReadingsOutdoor learning in the Early Years: Management and innovationRecommendedBilton, H. (2010)3RD ED. NEW YORK: ROUTLEDGE

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Design an effective outdoor setting for children's nature play

Activities:
Online activities

02. Manage aspects of safety while maximizing exploration and free play

Activities:
Online activities

03. Identify and document learning emerging from outdoor and nature play

Activities:
Online activities

Online, 2017, Online Study 4/4, Online

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information:

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Leanne Grogan

Class requirements

Scheduled Online ClassWeek: 46
Three 1.0 hours scheduled online class per week in week 46 and delivered via online.
"Plus online learning activities"

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Critical Reflection3003
Design and evaluation of an outdoor play setting4001, 02, 03
Literature review3003

Online, 2017, Week 15-27, Online

Overview

Online enrolment: No

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information:

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Leanne Grogan

Class requirements

Scheduled Online ClassWeek: 15 - 27
Ten 1.0 hours scheduled online class per week from week 15 to week 27 and delivered via online.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Critical Reflection3003
Design and evaluation of an outdoor play setting4001, 02, 03
Literature review3003