Experiential Learning
What if the world was your child’s classroom? Children learn through their experiences and their are so many experiences your city has to offer - from its museums to its natural wonders, parks and forests. Some (if not all) of. the best learning happens outside the classroom, so much so that many families choose to do all their learning outside the classroom. When children learn through experience, they have a powerful emotional and physical connection to what they learned and are able to reflect on what they learned, helping them shape critical thinking skills and retain information. Outdoor instruction, where children learn in nature is so important for developing science, math and artistic skills, physical and emotional development as well as learning about sustainability and developing a connection to nature. The resources our city has to offer for learning are endless. A visit to the park, museum, cultural organizations, a trip to the symphony are all fantastic ways to encourage your child’s sponge-like mind to absorb all the learning opportunities around them!
Volunteer with SF Food bank
Service-Learning is one of the key types of Experiential Education, according to John Dewey’s framework for hands-on learning. Volunteering is a wonderful way to teach your child skills such as Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility - the San Francisco Food Bank is a great place for your family to start helping out as a family! The SF Marin Food Bank states on its website “Your time and dedication are important resources in the fight against hunger. Shifts are offered at our warehouses in San Rafael and San Francisco. Projects typically involve sorting fresh produce, packaging bulk foods, assembling grocery boxes for seniors, and sorting donations from food drives. During weekdays, our minimum age is 11. On Saturdays, our minimum age is 8, and on Sundays, it is 4 years old.” Learn more about different places you can take your child to volunteer here.