Children and families across the Eastern Upper Peninsula will soon have access to a unique outdoor learning environment designed to encourage exploration, creativity, literacy and inclusion.
The Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District (EUPISD), in partnership with Sault Area Public Schools and the Chippewa Luce Mackinac Community Action Agency, is nearing completion of the new Outdoor Discovery & Exploration Station at the Sault Early Learning Center. This unique space is slated to open in August, serving children from birth to age 5.
The discovery and exploration station is designed to streamline access for families to educators and community resources throughout the area, according to Jessica Savoie, director of Early Childhood Programs for EUPISD.
“The Outdoor Discovery & Exploration Station is something we’ve never truly had available for the birth-to-5 age population at this scale or with this level of intentional design in the ISD before,” Savoie said.
She described it as an inclusive, outdoor learning environment where children explore, move, communicate, learn and play in a natural setting, regardless of any physical or behavioral challenges.
Unlike a traditional playground, the Outdoor Discovery & Exploration Station was designed as a fully integrated learning environment. It allows students to benefit from an array of activities like exercise, literacy development, communication support and nature-based exploration. It was created with universal physical, sensory and communication features that promote equal access for all children.
The collaborative effort resulted in each of the three partners contributing their expertise in early childhood education, family support services and inclusive programming. Community input was also considered.
“We used surveys, focus groups and an advisory committee made up of families, educators, early childhood providers, tribal partners and community stakeholders,” Savoie said. “Their input directly influenced design decisions from layout to accessibility features to cultural and nature-based learning elements.”
The Outdoor Discovery & Exploration Station will operate as a shared community asset available during designated hours to local families, school groups, early childhood programs, community agencies, along with other organizations and groups, Savoie said.
The project is completely funded through a $740,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy Community Zones initiative.
Additional features at the site include an Outdoor Story Walk designed to promote early literacy and family engagement, a climbing structure and more.
Savoie is confident the project will further enhance childhood education in the community.
“It provides a safe, welcoming place (for families) to gather, play and connect with early learning resources,” she said. “For educators and providers, it becomes an extension of the classroom as an outdoor learning environment that supports development in literacy, language, social-emotional skills and physical development.”
Savoie noted that research has shown that open-ended outdoor exploration helps young children build communication skills, problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills. These learned skills support higher achievement and comprehension in schools as children get older.
“Creativity and imagination are not separate from academic learning. They are what make academic learning stick,” Savoie said. “When children are given the space to explore, imagine, build and interact with their environment, they are developing the same foundational skills that support literacy, math and problem-solving later on.”
A grand opening is expected in August. Learn more about EUPISD’s early childhood programs at eupkids.com.
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: New Outdoor Discovery and Exploration Station set to open at Sault Early Learning Center
Reporting by M. Alan Scott, Sault Ste. Marie News / The Sault News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By M. Alan Scott, Sault Ste. Marie News | USA TODAY Network
