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As Vietnam continues to expand its early childhood education system, integrating outdoor learning is becoming increasingly important. Forest schools in Vietnam provide children with unique opportunities to explore, play, and develop essential life skills in natural environments.
Research highlights the numerous benefits of outdoor learning, from boosting physical health to fostering creativity and resilience. However, for forest schools to thrive, Vietnam needs strong policy support, proper infrastructure, and well-trained educators. This article explores how forest schools and nature-based learning can shape the future of early childhood education in Vietnam.
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The benefits of forest schools in Vietnam for early childhood development
Vietnam has made significant strides in expanding access to early learning and child-care programs. As the country works towards creating a comprehensive system, it is crucial to consider the benefits of incorporating forest schools in Vietnam into early education.
Research has shown that outdoor early learning has substantial developmental advantages, and governments should take note of this growing grassroots movement.
Forest schools in Vietnam provide optimal conditions for children’s development. In these natural environments, children can move freely, pursue their interests, take risks, and test their limits. This translates into children who are happier, more active, curious, confident, and collaborative. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the outdoors as a health-promoting environment that mitigates the risk of spreading illnesses.
The need for infrastructure and policy support for forest schools in Vietnam
When planning infrastructure for early learning and care, it is essential to consider outdoor spaces and reframe them as forest school learning environments. Currently, regulations in Vietnam may not require sufficient outdoor space per child. Evidence-based design guidelines exist for planning high-quality forest schools in Vietnam, and criteria for early learning and care infrastructure funds should include requirements for these outdoor learning spaces.
To address the challenge of limited outdoor space in urban areas, partnerships with schools, local green spaces, and municipalities can be explored. Schools often have outdoor space that can be utilized for early childhood education programs, benefiting all children in the school. Collaborations with parks agencies can support access to local green spaces, ensuring that children enrolled in forest schools in Vietnam have the best possible outdoor learning experiences.
Expanding forest schools and nature-based learning in Vietnam
Vietnam should also enable early learning programs where children spend the majority of their day outdoors, such as forest schools in Vietnam and other nature-based education models. Currently, regulations may require an indoor facility, but this can be addressed by utilizing community buildings, cabins, and shelters for inclement weather. By adjusting policies to support forest schools in Vietnam, the country can foster an education system that promotes both academic and personal growth through nature-based learning.
Training educators for forest schools in Vietnam
Educator training is crucial for ensuring quality in early learning and care. Post-secondary early childhood education programs in Vietnam should explicitly prepare educators for outdoor learning. Existing evidence-based professional learning resources and training programs can be scaled and paired with apprenticeship opportunities.
Outdoor early learning presents an opportunity to attract passionate professionals from various fields, such as parks, conservation, and outdoor education, to reimagine their careers in forest schools in Vietnam. This may also help attract more males to the field, as educators report improved well-being and professional engagement when working outdoors in forest schools.
Conclusion
By integrating forest schools in Vietnam into the early childhood education system, the country can provide children with optimal conditions for development, promote health and well-being, and create a more inclusive and engaging learning environment.
Governments at all levels should prioritize investing in high-quality forest school environments and supporting educator training to ensure that every young child in Vietnam has access to the benefits of outdoor learning. Follow our official Facebook page now to receive more interesting information.
