At Jefferson Early Learning Center, fostering a sense of belonging goes hand-in-hand with a unique approach to early childhood education: connecting children deeply with the natural world. Recognizing that over 60% of the district’s residents lack consistent access to the outdoors and its numerous benefits, Jefferson Early Learning Center was thoughtfully designed to bridge this gap. District leaders, alongside dedicated local partners and volunteers, envisioned and created a community park that seamlessly integrates with the learning environment, making nature accessible to every child in the neighborhood.
Each learning village within Jefferson Early Learning Center is intentionally designed with distinctive outdoor learning environments. These spaces are not just playgrounds; they are extensions of the classroom, thoughtfully connected to neighboring outdoor areas to create a cohesive and expansive learning landscape. These meticulously crafted outdoor spaces champion play-based learning, a methodology proven to be crucial in developing essential life-long skills in young children.
For instance, the center’s courtyards and backyards are specifically designed to encourage gross motor skill development. Children are free to run, climb, crawl, and roll, engaging their bodies and developing coordination in a safe and stimulating environment. Beyond physical activity, Jefferson Early Learning Center understands the importance of sensory exploration. Textured environments, incorporating natural elements like grass, rocks, logs, and varied wall textures, provide rich sensory experiences. These tactile opportunities are vital for cognitive development and sensory integration.
Furthermore, “real life” environments within the center facilitate immersive and imaginative play. Here, students engage in collaborative projects, fostering critical problem-solving skills and interpersonal skills as they learn to work together as a team. These engaging environments are designed to spark curiosity and encourage inquiry-based learning. Children are naturally prompted to ask questions, explore their surroundings, and expand their understanding of the world through hands-on discovery and play.
Recognizing the unique learning opportunities presented by the Center’s innovative design, Jefferson Early Learning Center partnered with local and state agencies to develop a specialized curriculum. This curriculum is specifically tailored to leverage the center’s unique features, emphasizing outdoor learning and nature immersion. A cornerstone of this new curriculum is a commitment to 10 hours per school week dedicated to outdoor play, completely free from electronic devices. This dedicated time in nature is designed to holistically benefit children, fostering academic growth, physical health, social skills, and mental well-being. Studies have consistently shown the positive impact of outdoor time on children’s development, and Jefferson Early Learning Center is putting this research into practice.
Jefferson Early Learning Center also stands out for its alternative and environmentally conscious approach to site development. Instead of a conventional flat site dominated by Bermuda grass and standard city landscaping, the center embraces low impact development principles. The site features sheet flow drainage, bio-swales to naturally filter water runoff, pocket prairies showcasing native plant species, and even areas of reforestation. Winding paths meander throughout the gently undulating site, inviting both students and the wider community to engage with nature. These pathways lead to spaces where students can safely explore, play with water features, cultivate and harvest vegetables in an edible garden, and observe the beauty of nature and prairies right in their own backyard. Jefferson Early Learning Center is not just a place of learning; it is a living, breathing example of how education and environmental stewardship can come together to create a richer, more meaningful experience for children and the community.
