Backyard Adventures Nature Academy

In our first year of having our nature classroom we have spent 1,000 hours outside and tracked it through the 1,000 Hours Outside app. We enjoy our time outdoors and I have witnessed an increase in positive behavior, engagement, and self confidence in my preschoolers since we started spending much more time outdoors and engaging in nature-based learning though play and exploration.

In this past year I have also met other early childhood educators whose programs are similar to mine, who have goals of creating a similar environment for their students as well. I have had the opportunity to set an example for other educators and mentor them as they make the switch from a “traditional” teaching approach to more of a nature-based approach. I believe more children need access to nature-based learning and more time outdoors. Whether I can encourage them to participate in 1,000 Hours Outside or to create their own nature classroom, I am happy to be an advocate for all children and their need for connection to nature and time outdoors. Having my nature classroom has been a big step in the right direction for my program!

Learn more about this classroom on their certification page!

Certification Page