At My Kid Primary School, learning does not end in the classroom, but extends outside. The local area is our giant classroom: when we go outside, we connect what we study in class with reality, fuelling curiosity and a sense of belonging to our community.
Our outings are real field investigations. The children observe what they study in real life: rocks, the climate, animals, plants and traces left by humans. They learn to be nature detectives, collect data, try to use maps, find their bearings , compare information and develop a critical and practical approach to reality.
Being a “school of the territory” means being an active part of it. This is why our collaboration with the Sant’Angelo di Loverciano Foundation for Outdoor Education is so valuable to us. It is a partnership that speaks of inclusion, sharing, and connection with our roots. The moments we spend together with the Foundation are always among the most eagerly awaited. Participating in the grape harvest was a practical and enjoyable lesson on the cycles of nature and teamwork. And our chestnut festival, an afternoon of celebration, games and delicious roasted chestnuts, allowed us to come together in a spirit of mutual enrichment.
An event that is always eagerly awaited is Mountain Week for Years 4 and 5, which this year took place in the Blenio Valley. The week, full of activities inspired by Michael Ende’s book Momo and Enzo D’Alò’s film, was spent walking, doing workshops and listening to stories in the evening. The children learned that the best time is time spent together: listening, laughing, sharing small gestures, and moments. Living together is a lesson in citizenship: you learn to manage space, to help each other, to respect turns and the small rules of coexistence.
In essence, our Outdoor Education teaches us the slowness of observation, respect for nature and awareness of the importance of relationships between peers and with the local area.
