種籽戶外探索日，不一樣的教育

Outdoor Exploration Day at Seed Montessori Kindergarten: A Unique Approach to Education

The Importance of Learning Connections and Knowledge Transfer 學習連結與遷移的重要性

走出教室，走進生活的真實與美好

在孩子的成長中，大自然與生活經驗是一座豐富而深邃的寶藏。種籽幼兒園的「戶外探索日」活動，每週一帶領孩子走出教室，進入校園、附近的公園與社區，甚至商店，讓孩子在真實的生活場域中觀察並感受自然的變化與人類生活的軌跡。從四季交替的樹葉顏色到社區裡熟悉的店家，從校園角落的野花到天空中變化的雲朵，孩子的學習在這些細膩的體驗中變得鮮活且立體。

在探索中，孩子不僅用眼睛觀察、用耳朵傾聽、用鼻子嗅聞、用手觸摸，更用心靈去感受世界的美妙與和諧。他們感知大自然的季節律動，也認識到人類生活與自然環境的深刻聯結。這樣的學習過程，幫助孩子從生活經驗中提取文化的養分，將知識變得真實而有溫度。

學習與文化的連結：知識融入生命的經驗

戶外探索日不僅僅是單純的遊戲或觀察，它是一個深具教育意義的課程。透過這樣的活動，孩子能夠將教室裡的學習延伸到戶外，再將戶外的發現帶回教室內，形成一個完整的學習循環。

舉例來說，當孩子在社區的公園中觀察到不同樹木的葉片，他們可以在教室中利用蒙特梭利的植物教具，進一步學習葉子的結構與功能。當他們在商店裡注意到商品的擺放，老師會引導孩子討論人類的生活方式，進而探索社會的運作與歷史發展。這樣的學習，不僅幫助孩子了解世界的多樣性，更讓他們體會到知識與生活的緊密聯結。

此外，戶外探索的內容還與文化課程緊密結合。例如，孩子在戶外探索時觀察到天氣的變化，回到教室後，他們會討論這些變化對生活的影響，並延伸學習與氣候相關的文化與地理知識。透過這樣的方式，孩子逐漸建立起對文化與自然的全觀視角，從而成為知識的建構者，而非單純的接受者。

回顧與創作：讓學習內化成記憶與熱愛

每一次的戶外探索後，孩子們都會帶著滿滿的感官印象回到園所。老師會引導孩子進行討論，回顧在戶外的觀察與感受，並以此為基礎進行創作活動。有時候，孩子會用採集回來的葉片或花草，進行藝術創作；有時候，他們會用繪畫或拼貼的方式，記錄自己在探索中的所見所聞。這些活動不僅讓孩子回顧學習的內容，更幫助他們將零散的觀察轉化為結構化的知識。

例如，在觀察到樹葉的不同形狀與顏色後，孩子可能會用葉片製作拼貼畫，並在老師的引導下討論葉子的生長與季節的變化。他們可能會設計一個屬於自己的故事，描述小鳥在樹上築巢的過程，並思考動物與植物之間的關係。這些活動，讓孩子的創造力與思考力在回顧與創作中被充分激發，學習成為一種有機而流動的經驗。

自然與文化的交會：戶外探索中的知識寶藏

戶外探索帶給孩子的不僅是感官上的刺激，更是一種最直接的知識與文化體驗。透過對生活空間與環境的觀察，孩子學會了如何在自然與文化之間找到聯結，並將這些體驗轉化為對世界的深刻理解。

• 自然地理： 在戶外，孩子透過觀察樹木、花草、昆蟲、天空與雲朵，認識自然界的規律與奧秘。他們學會分辨植物的種類，理解四季的變化，並感受天氣對環境的影響。

• 人文地理： 在社區的探索中，孩子觀察到人類的生活軌跡，認識不同的建築與空間規劃，並思考人類如何與環境共存。他們了解到每一個地方的特色，都是文化的一部分。

• 歷史與生活軌跡： 當孩子發現社區裡的舊建築或古老的樹木，他們對過去的生活方式產生了興趣。這些探索幫助他們初步理解歷史的概念，並將生活的軌跡與歷史連結起來。

• 生態與生物： 孩子在探索中注意到動植物的多樣性，並對生物的特性與生態系統的運作感到好奇。他們開始思考每一個生命的價值，並學會珍惜與尊重自然。

• 氣候與四季： 孩子在戶外感受到氣候的變化，從溫暖的陽光到涼爽的微風，從春天的花開到冬天的樹葉飄落。他們的感官被季節的節奏所觸動，並在討論中深化對四季交替的理解。

學習動機的萌芽：孩子是學習的主體

最令人感動的是，孩子在這些探索中的學習動機是自然萌芽的。當他們站在樹下，仰望天空中飛過的小鳥；當他們蹲在地上，仔細觀察一隻忙碌的螞蟻；當他們觸摸到粗糙的樹皮或柔軟的葉子時，他們的好奇心被激發，學習成為他們生命的一部分。

這種有機的學習方式，不僅讓孩子體會到知識的魅力，也讓他們學會在生活中發現美好，感受世界的廣闊與細膩。他們不是被動地接受資訊，而是主動地探索、發問、思考，並在過程中找到自己的答案。

與孩子一起，讓學習回歸生命的本質

種籽的戶外探索日，是讓孩子在生活中學習、在自然中成長的一次次旅程。我們相信，每一次的探索，都是孩子與世界的一次深度對話；每一份感動，都是他們學習路上的珍貴記憶。種籽的老師們用心地牽起孩子的手，陪伴他們在大地與文化的懷抱中，找到屬於自己的學習步伐，開啟屬於他們的未來。

Stepping Out of the Classroom and Into the Beauty of Real Life

In a child’s growth, nature and real-life experiences are profound and invaluable treasures. At Seed Montessori Kindergarten, the weekly "Outdoor Exploration Day" takes children beyond the classroom and into the campus, nearby parks, the community, and even local shops. These excursions allow children to observe and experience the changing seasons and the rhythm of human life. From the shifting colors of leaves through the seasons to the familiar faces of local shopkeepers, from the wildflowers in hidden corners of the campus to the ever-changing clouds in the sky, learning becomes vivid and multidimensional through these subtle yet impactful experiences.

During exploration, children engage all their senses: observing with their eyes, listening with their ears, smelling with their noses, and touching with their hands. More importantly, they feel the harmony and beauty of the world with their hearts. They perceive the seasonal rhythms of nature and recognize the profound connection between human life and the natural environment. This process helps children extract cultural nourishment from real-life experiences, making knowledge tangible and meaningful.

Connecting Learning and Culture: Integrating Knowledge into Life

Outdoor Exploration Day is not merely about play or observation; it is a thoughtfully designed educational program. Through these activities, children extend their classroom learning into the outdoors and bring their outdoor discoveries back into the classroom, forming a complete learning cycle.

For instance, when children observe different leaves in a community park, they can further explore leaf structures and functions using Montessori botany materials in the classroom. When they notice how items are displayed in a shop, teachers guide discussions about human lifestyles, sparking explorations into societal operations and historical developments. Such experiences help children understand the diversity of the world and appreciate the close connections between knowledge and daily life.

Moreover, outdoor exploration integrates closely with cultural lessons. For example, after observing weather changes outdoors, children return to the classroom to discuss how these changes impact daily life, extending their learning to cultural and geographical knowledge about climate. This approach gradually builds a holistic perspective of culture and nature, enabling children to become active constructors of knowledge rather than passive recipients.

Reflection and Creation: Transforming Learning into Memory and Passion

After each outdoor exploration, children return to school brimming with sensory impressions. Teachers guide discussions to review their observations and feelings, using these as a foundation for creative activities. Sometimes, children use collected leaves or flowers for art projects; other times, they document their experiences through drawings or collages. These activities not only help children revisit what they have learned but also transform scattered observations into structured knowledge.

For example, after observing the shapes and colors of leaves, children might create leaf collages and discuss leaf growth and seasonal changes under the teacher’s guidance. They might even design their own stories, describing how birds build nests in trees and reflecting on the relationships between animals and plants. These activities fully stimulate children’s creativity and critical thinking, turning learning into an organic and dynamic experience.

The Intersection of Nature and Culture: A Treasure Trove of Knowledge in Outdoor Exploration

Outdoor exploration provides children with not only sensory stimulation but also the most direct experiences of knowledge and culture. By observing their surroundings, children learn to connect nature and culture and transform these experiences into a deeper understanding of the world.

• Natural Geography: Through observing trees, flowers, insects, the sky, and clouds, children discover the rules and mysteries of nature. They learn to identify plant species, understand seasonal changes, and perceive the impact of weather on the environment.

• Human Geography: In community explorations, children observe human life, recognize different buildings and spaces, and consider how humans coexist with the environment. They come to understand that every place’s characteristics are part of its unique culture.

• History and Life’s Footprints: Discovering old buildings or ancient trees in the community sparks children’s curiosity about past lifestyles. These explorations help them grasp initial historical concepts and connect life’s traces with history.

• Ecology and Biology: Children notice the diversity of flora and fauna, becoming curious about the characteristics of living things and how ecosystems function. They begin to appreciate the value of life and learn to respect and cherish nature.

• Climate and Seasons: Experiencing climatic changes outdoors—from warm sunlight to cool breezes, from spring blossoms to falling autumn leaves—helps children internalize the rhythm of the seasons. Discussions deepen their understanding of these transitions.

The Emergence of Learning Motivation: Children as Active Learners

What is most moving is how naturally children’s learning motivation emerges during these explorations. When they stand under a tree, watching a bird fly overhead, crouch on the ground to observe a busy ant, or touch the rough bark or soft leaves, their curiosity is sparked, and learning becomes an intrinsic part of their lives.

This organic way of learning not only reveals the charm of knowledge but also teaches children to discover beauty in everyday life, experiencing the vastness and subtlety of the world. They are not passive receivers of information but active explorers who ask questions, seek answers, and, in the process, find their own paths.

Learning Together: Bringing Education Back to Life’s Essence

Seed Montessori’s Outdoor Exploration Day is a journey where children learn through life and grow in nature. We believe that every exploration is a profound dialogue between the child and the world, and every moment of wonder is a precious memory on their learning journey. With heartfelt dedication, Seed’s teachers hold the hands of each child, guiding them to find their own learning rhythm in the embrace of nature and culture, opening doors to a promising future. 員林幼兒園 員林種籽蒙特梭利幼兒園