Lessons not found in books

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Clear laughter echoed in the vast space of a farm. Preschool children holding small baskets eagerly collected chicken eggs, picked vegetables, fed pumpkin to hedgehogs... Some children were still shyly hiding behind the teacher, but others were passionately exploring each vegetable bed and each bush. It was an outdoor lesson, also known as "experiential tourism" for preschoolers, which is increasingly becoming a modern educational trend supported by many schools and parents.

Students of ACE Montessori Preschool, Sam Son City, participate in an experiential tour at Trang Farm.

Mr. Nguyen Ha Thanh, owner of ACE Montessori Preschool, Sam Son City, believes that experiential tourism is an important part of a child-centerededucational program. “Children learn most effectively when they can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste directly - that is, using all their senses. Experiential sessions in the outside environment help children learn and play naturally, without restraint." The classroom space is expanded to fields, gardens, and ecological areas, where children can not only observe but also try many "first-time" activities such as planting trees, making cakes, picking strawberries, feeding hedgehogs, etc. From there, children develop the ability to explore, memorize, and respond flexibly to real-life situations - something that books or pictures cannot fully convey.

Many parents wonder: Are preschool children too young to travel? Is it safe? Will they learn anything? But in reality, these trips are opportunities for children to learn valuable early life lessons about independence, friendship, cooperation, and even overcoming fear.

“My child is shy and only plays with his grandparents. After the trip to Trang Farm, he came back excitedly telling stories and even brought a basket of strawberries he picked himself to give to his grandparents and parents,” said Tran Thi Nhung, a parent in Sam Son City.

In addition, experiential travel also helps children learn how to communicate, wait for their turn, listen to others, and follow common rules. These are important skills for forming personality and social adaptability later on. Some programs also incorporate elements of sex education, environmental protection, and love for animals through games and real-life situations to help children be educated naturally, without force.

In particular, one of the great benefits of experiential tourism is creating a space for connection between children and adults, including teachers and parents. In that journey, the teacher is not only a teacher but also a companion, a guide, and a person who shares emotions with children.

“After an experience session, I saw that the child was more attached to the teacher. The child came back and told stories about how the teacher carried him across a puddle, picked strawberries, and planted trees together. What the child told us also made us feel more secure,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Tung.

Nowadays, many programs also encourage parents to participate to create a three-way connection: school - family - student. In a busy society, lacking quality time between parents and children, preschool experience travel becomes a special occasion for the whole family to "temporarily disconnect" from technology and get closer to each other.

In the modern world, children are increasingly surrounded by technology, cramped housing, and increasingly narrowing spaces for experience. In this context, experiential travel is not only a “change of pace” or pure entertainment, but also a golden opportunity for children to grow up with nature, with the community, with vivid and emotional lessons.

Article and photos: Phuong Do

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nhung-bai-hoc-khong-co-trong-sach-vo-253121.htm