Connecting Children With NatureAt Christ Lutheran Preschool, we believe in providing generous opportunities for outdoor play, where children can reap the benefits of daily contact with the natural world. Our outdoor space provides a variety of different activity areas where children can discover, play, observe, get messy, and experience the joy and wonder of being outside while they have fun learning!
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Entry Area
This is where the children will enter and exit the outdoor classroom each day. As our plants grow, it will become a beautiful, fragrant spot that will remind everyone that we are entering a wonderful place! |
Observation Area
Children will be able to relax in the garden and observe birds, insects, and growing plants. Plants in the gardens throughout the outdoor classroom provide additional sensory experiences of touch, smell, and taste as appropriate. |
Sensory Area
Provides many opportunities to work with sand, mud and water using our mud kitchen and water pump. Other activities in this area include a weaving house, sensory table and small grassy hill for rolling, relaxing, or for our littlest ones to crawl and explore. |
Nature Art Area
Children use natural as well as traditional art materials for creative expression. 
Quiet Zone
Here children can sit in a quiet area, rest in the shade, or enjoy reading a book. |
Sand Area Using wet or dry sand gives children a fun sensory experience as they use a variety of materials. Children fill the buckets with water and give the plants in the garden areas a much needed soaking! 
Gathering/Action Area
The "gathering drum" calls children to this large grassy area under a beautiful tree where they can meet for group activities. This area doubles as an action area, where children can alternate riding bikes on the track, run, play ball, or just stretch out to relax and look up at the sky. |
Music and Movement
Instruments are available for making music, and a stage allows for spontaneous drama and dance presentations! 
Building Area Children can use a mix of various building materials and natural items as they develop small motor and engineering skills to create small structures. |
Construction Zone
Children use logs, boxes and whatever new discoveries await in this area to build large structures, using skills of cooperation, planning, and imagination. |
Body Balance Area
Children test their skills of balance as they use the tree cookie steps to get to the balance beam. The bridge in the distance offers a challenge to the little ones who are developing their walking skills. |