CONTEMPORARY early childhood instruction emphasizes the importance of using the natural environment to enhance the learning experiences of young children.

This past August at Shanghai American School, Pudong campus celebrated the opening of the Early Childhood Center designed to bring the natural world into the classroom. Each classroom is very spacious, allowing children to work and play individually and in groups. Our new classrooms are filled with natural light, complementing the natural wood tones of our new furnishings. This use of natural colors reduces sensory overload and visual stimulation for children, creating a calm and nurturing environment that encourages creativity and cooperation. Covered open air areas adjacent to each classroom allow instruction to flow outside while bringing the natural world in.

Since the beginning of this school year children have been using natural materials to engage in learning both inside and outside the classroom. Inside, children explore and use natural and authentic materials such as rocks, shells and leaves, building a connection with nature. Appreciation of nature is further developed as children explore and learn in our beautiful outdoor nature reserve. Whether sketching a tree, collecting leaves, designing and testing boats in our pond or taking care of plants in our garden, children are involved in real life learning activities focusing on their natural world.

We believe that young children learn best when they are given time and opportunity to interact with and understand their surroundings. Our new learning spaces are carefully designed to encourage each child’s creativity. Children build models using a variety of materials such as wooden blocks, rocks, pine cones, shells, or seeds. They are encouraged to return to their projects repeatedly over days and weeks to add or build upon their work, providing opportunities for deeper thinking and enriched learning.