Cornerstone Center for Early Learning

Nurturing Growth Through Change in the
Outdoor Classroom

Outdoor play fosters children’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development. Surrounded by nature, children experience an ever-changing and free-flowing environment that stimulates all the senses. In a certified outdoor classroom, how do we maintain this powerful concept? By evolving and transforming the space—continually and intentionally.

As Ilchi Lee said, “Change is the very nature of nature.” Similarly, author James A. Coffman reminds us that “the irony of existence is that the only constant is change.” At Cornerstone Center for Early Learning, we understand that change can be challenging—for children and adults alike. That’s why we strive to remain inclusive during moments of transformation in our outdoor space. When people are included, the struggles that often accompany change become less overwhelming. And by extending our community beyond staff and families to include neighbors and local partners, we unlock new realms of creativity and participation.

A perfect example of this occurred when one of Cornerstone’s neighbors, a middle school woodshop teacher, generously offered his time and skills during the summer to design and build a custom mud kitchen for the children. The result was incredible. The mud kitchen was built into a cozy corner of the outdoor classroom and quickly became a hub of exploration and joy—for both children and adults.

One of the most magical moments came during our introduction of sunflowers. Some children delicately plucked the petals and dropped them into saucepans, crafting nature-inspired recipes. Others molded mud-petal patties. Still others engaged in negotiation and problem-solving as they shared and interacted around a single sunflower. Their collaboration, curiosity, and interaction—with both nature and one another—were nothing short of astounding.

The freedom to explore, cooperate, and create with minimal adult direction revealed the true potential of our evolving space. Change is not only necessary—it is powerful. When we open the door for a broader community to reimagine even just one piece of our environment, we make room for miracles to occur.

 

Learn more about this classroom on their certification page!