Pertinent Issues
Questions authored by researcher Joana Pinto from the University of Minho, who is also the author of a website called https://vamoslaparafora.wixsite.com/vamoslaparafora - who kindly authorized us to disclose it
Challenge. Learn. Grow up.
At the heart of the creation of Wild Routines is the philosophy that children flourish when they are given time and space to play freely, in experimental, sensory rich, and learning-enhancing contexts.
Fusing contact with nature and the opportunity to explore results in the unique way to reach the children's key point that will allow for as harmonious development as possible.
1) What is the project name and geographic location?
The name of the project is “Brincar Fora da Caixa”, but as we had to create an association in order to have resources and make applications, in August 2020 we founded the Associação Rotinas Selvagens, which integrates the initial project, as well as others where they converge. goals, promotion of free play, contact with nature, and disengagement from learning
2) What is the institutional nature of the project?
We are a non-profit association and our vision is to be an entity that seeks to create synergies in the community, whether with ordinary citizens, parents, professionals from different areas, or with other organizations. We believe that we have a lot to learn from the “philosophy” of nature itself, and as such, networking, in the spirit of community or tribe, can enrich us through diversity.
3) Who are the recipients and ages?
The main recipients are children from 3 to 10 years old, but from a flexible perspective, because another aspect that we value is the gain that exists in bringing together children of different ages:
“Children benefit from playing with partners of different ages (…) Playing with partners of different ages teaches children a type of interaction that does not happen between kids of the same age (…) Most of our learning comes from observing the others…” (in “The Book I Wish Your Parents Had Read”, Philippa Perry)
4) What outdoor spaces do you frequent? Playground? What valences? Mountain, vegetable garden, forest, farm, park, beach, others...
Public gardens, forest, riverside areas, farm with biological products, beach (we are very privileged)
5) How much time do you spend outdoors per day and per week (or session)?
It depends on the context and the time in which it is organized, also depending on the availability of the families involved, but as a general rule, between 2 to 4 hours (they wanted it to be always more )
6) How much time do you spend playing freely, in free activities, outdoors per day and per week (or session)?
In the closest group of children/families who are more frequent at our meetings, as a rule, this happens between 2 to 4 times a week, and between 1 to 2 hours a day (on weekdays; on weekends between 2 to 4 hours)
7) Do you exit to other spaces? Which? How often?
We try to explore new places whenever possible, also by looking for spaces that have other potentials or access to natural elements, to or to the fauna or flora in particular, sometimes we select places that allow us to go see amphibians, other times places that allow us to go see butterflies or new flowers; one of the explorations we do that is also a little less common to hear mentioned is going to the salt marshes, not only for the avifauna possible to find, but also for the salt, and for the games and different forms of exploration that salt allows.
8) Another feature of the project: Pedagogical inspiration, services offered, number of sessions per day/week...
Pedagogical inspiration - Neurosciences, TimberNook by Angela J. Hanscom, Berry Brazelton, Sydney Playground Project, Waldorf Pedagogy, Child Lead Learning, Dr. João dos Santos, Prof. Dr. Carlos Neto, among many others.
Two aspects that we consider differentiating are geographic location and weather conditions.
In addition to these, the training, multiculturalism and differentiated qualifications of the professionals involved allow an intervention with an emphasis very marked by the crossing of objectives related to health, education, social action and environmental preservation that is not always common to find in other projects with similar format.