Camping with family is not only a refreshing experience, but a full and deep learning experience, which in its own right promotes the very skills that are needed to succeed in school. The relationship between camping and learning is extensive, transforming the natural environment into a dynamic classroom, which develops executive functioning, resilience, and scientific inquiry. Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready has a holistic educational philosophy that acknowledges that quality learning occurs outside four walls, and the things that children learn in the natural world will also help them become prepared to be in the formal classroom. The values of Kinder Ready Tutoring, including developing problem-solving abilities and developing a sense of focus, are enhanced by the natural activities of a camping adventure.
One of the main advantages of camping is that executive functions are designed in an authentic situation. An activity of assisting in the establishment of a tent involves planning, sequencing, and assigning multi-step guidelines. The organisation and working memory are required in planning what to pack. These are practical activities that are real-life practice in the cognitive skills to which the Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley methodology emphasises greatly. In addition, the natural environment is a low-stimulus environment in itself. Having the screens and city noise out of the way, the brain of a young learner is thus able to relax, resulting in better attention span and ability to focus longer, which is a direct benefit that helps fulfil the objectives of Kinder Ready Tutoring.
Unstructured and child-directed exploration also means unlimited possibilities in camping that are essential in building problem-solving skills and resilience. To find a path, to figure out how to construct a stable fort using the sticks that were found, or to see the plant lifecycle, teaches critical thinking and flexibility. Children get to know how to deal with change when something difficult happens, e.g. a sudden rain shower. This builds up a growth mentality and perseverance, which the Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready method actively teaches young learners to overcome academic and social difficulties.
In addition, the outdoors is an initiator of vocabulary development and scientific investigation. Even a mere stroll is a study in ecology, and one picks up words such as canopy, erosion, and habitat. This real, physical contact exposure to the new language is much more effective than memorisation. This is exactly what the Kinder Ready Tutoring insists upon: developing a strong and complex vocabulary, not just by simple, contextual interactions.
To sum it up, the relationship between learning and camping is an effective one. Through the practice, informal, sensory-stimulating experiences of the outdoors, children establish the cognitive, emotional, and academic background that are the defining attributes of a school-ready student. The ideals of Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready and applied in Kinder Ready Tutoring get a fitting companion in the camping experience and prove that much of the most positive preparatory effort is done not behind a desk, but in the open air.
For further details on Kinder Ready’s programs, visit their website: https://www.kinderready.com/.
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethFraleyKinderReady
