U City preschool gets $75K for outdoor learning and play space

School Receives Grant for New Outdoor Learning Space

Rakeb Tesfaye, a 5-year-old student at the Julia Goldstein Early Childhood Education Center in University City, said she enjoys playing outside because she gets to make friends.

“And I get to go like this, and like this,” Tesfaye shared as she imagined herself swinging on monkey bars at a playground. She and her schoolmates were eating lunch at the Missouri Botanical Garden after receiving some good news Tuesday afternoon.

Soon, she and her classmates will have more opportunities to learn and play outside after the school received $75,000 for a new outdoor space.

The grant was provided by the PNC Foundation in partnership with the Missouri Botanical Garden and the school in an agreement that the money will be used to help spruce up the outdoor learning environment at Julia Goldstein. The move also comes as PNC marks the 20th anniversary of PNC Grow UP Great, an initiative designed to prepare children from birth through age 5 for success in school.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 4: Quality Education
2. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
3. Goal 15: Life on Land

A recent PNC-funded study by the National Institute for Early Education Research showed that 49% of children ages 3-5 are playing outside less than once a day. Reviews also suggest that pre-K programs conducted in nature-based settings can promote better learning and development, according to Michael Scully, PNC regional president for St. Louis.

“I think of when I was a kid, you would spend all day every day outside and show up only for dinner,” Scully said on Tuesday. “The research found the most compelling thing is kids aren’t doing that. And many of them are just getting outside once a day. And so if they’re not outside, it means they’re inside. And it means they’re doing other things that are not as beneficial as some of the experiences you could have in the outdoors.”

Creating a Naturescape

A naturescape contains a lot of different aspects, said Sean Doherty, vice president of education for Missouri Botanical Garden. It’s an outdoorsy environment that includes having rocks or boulders for students to climb on and log pieces or other nature items that students can manipulate and be able to jump to and from or use as seats, Doherty said.

A naturescape can also include raised beds for gardening and various water features that allow students to be able to grow plants or have a mud kitchen.

“And, and I think that one of the other things, too, is having the opportunities for them to have the tools to get outside, making sure the students have the right clothing, rain jackets, rain boots, so that way they can use utilize the space throughout the entire year, and not just when the weather’s good,” Doherty added.

The botanical garden staff will bring its expertise, which will be blended with that of Julia Goldstein’s staff to create the naturescape, Hardin-Bartley said.

Doherty said that in addition to creating the naturescape at Julia Goldstein, botanical garden leaders plan to engage University City stakeholders to gauge how other student needs can be met in the future. He said they hope to eventually expand the partnership with PNC to other schools in the area.

“We’re hoping that we can spark that love of nature at the early childhood level, so that way it continues on through their lives,” Doherty said Tuesday.

Key Points:

• The Julia Goldstein Early Childhood Education Center in University City has received a $75,000 grant for a new outdoor learning space.
• The grant was provided by the PNC Foundation in partnership with the Missouri Botanical Garden.
• The money will be used to create a naturescape at Julia Goldstein and provide other items for outdoor learning.
• A recent study funded by PNC found that many children ages 3-5 are playing outside less than once a day.
• The naturescape will include rocks, boulders, log pieces, raised beds for gardening, and water features.
• The partnership aims to promote quality education, sustainable cities and communities, and life on land, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
   • Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being, by sex.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, particularly for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
   • Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
   • Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index.

Analysis

The article discusses the funding received by the Julia Goldstein Early Childhood Education Center to create a new outdoor space for learning and play. Based on the content of the article, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

The article highlights the importance of outdoor learning and play for children’s development and readiness for school. The funding received will enhance the outdoor learning environment at Julia Goldstein, aligning with SDG 4’s target of ensuring access to quality early childhood development and pre-primary education.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The creation of a new outdoor space at Julia Goldstein contributes to SDG 11’s target of providing universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green spaces, particularly for children. The naturescape will offer opportunities for students to engage with nature and enjoy outdoor activities.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

The article mentions the inclusion of natural elements in the naturescape, such as rocks, boulders, and log pieces. This aligns with SDG 15’s target of taking action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and protect biodiversity. The use of natural materials in the outdoor space promotes a connection with the natural environment.

Overall, the article highlights the importance of outdoor learning and play for children’s development and well-being. The funding received will contribute to achieving SDG targets related to education, sustainable cities, and biodiversity conservation.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: stlpr.org

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.