At Verner, we highly value our outdoor areas as an extension of our classroom and want to provide an environment for young children to learn, play and remain active. Research shows that “When children play in natural environments, their play is more diverse. There is a higher prevalence of imaginative and creative play that fosters language and collaborative skills” (Moore & Wong, 1997; Taylor et al. 1998; Fjortoft, 2000).
On average, our children spend two to three hours each day in our outdoor classrooms, providing them with additional opportunities for children to learn from their surroundings and make sense of the world around them.
We have developed four separate, age-appropriate play spaces to meet the unique developmental needs of the children that we serve. These spaces encourage climbing on structures, digging in the sandbox, exploring native grasses and tasting edible plants.
Porches located adjacent to classrooms allow children to spend time outside most days of the year. Our amphitheater and deck provide a space for imaginative and creative play. These structures are seen as an extension of the classroom and provides a space for a class to read books and is the perfect backdrop for an outdoor play sparking a child’s imagination. The possibilities are endless in our outdoor learning environments.
In 2010, we received a grant from Shape NC, a program funded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation to address early childhood obesity. The program is working with early care and education centers to provide technical assistance to help them change policies, practices and environments and increase physical activity and healthy eating in young children. Smart Start of Buncombe County serves as the regional hub site for the initiative and supports Shape NC efforts in the region.
We encourage families, early childhood professionals and community members to visit our center to view our play spaces and learn about the important benefits of outdoor learning environments for young children. To schedule a tour, please contact: info@verneremail.org.
On average, our children spend two to three hours each day in our outdoor classrooms, providing them with additional opportunities for children to learn from their surroundings and make sense of the world around them.
We have developed four separate, age-appropriate play spaces to meet the unique developmental needs of the children that we serve. These spaces encourage climbing on structures, digging in the sandbox, exploring native grasses and tasting edible plants.
Porches located adjacent to classrooms allow children to spend time outside most days of the year. Our amphitheater and deck provide a space for imaginative and creative play. These structures are seen as an extension of the classroom and provides a space for a class to read books and is the perfect backdrop for an outdoor play sparking a child’s imagination. The possibilities are endless in our outdoor learning environments.
In 2010, we received a grant from Shape NC, a program funded by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation to address early childhood obesity. The program is working with early care and education centers to provide technical assistance to help them change policies, practices and environments and increase physical activity and healthy eating in young children. Smart Start of Buncombe County serves as the regional hub site for the initiative and supports Shape NC efforts in the region.
We encourage families, early childhood professionals and community members to visit our center to view our play spaces and learn about the important benefits of outdoor learning environments for young children. To schedule a tour, please contact: info@verneremail.org.