For those unfamiliar with Lafayette’s campus, there is a collection of toddlers that attend daycare on the hill. They are often seen roaming around the quad, struggling to balance their bodies, wobbling as they go. For this trait of being toddlers on the quad- they have been designated as “Quadlers” by Lafayette’s students. These Quadlers bring great joy to Lafayette, running around carefree on the quad. We see them on our way to class, or when we are staring out at the quad when we are in Skillman and should be doing homework.
These little humans are just starting to appreciate the world- the distinction between nature and civilization means nothing to them. They have no concept of weather patterns, why the sun comes up every morning, or why the grass is green. For a variety of reasons, children today are spending much less time outside than the previous generation did. This means that children have fewer opportunities to enjoy the sensory and learning experiences of feeling a breeze or squishing mud through fingers and toes.
Going outside is the highlight of the day for Quadlers. A great deal of learning is happening as the children watch and interact with their environment. The classroom is not the only learning environment, and it is important to go outside and be able to recognize this.
I appreciate the observation that the children in these “Quadlers” truly enjoy their time outside, learning from their environment. It is inspiring to think that these children might continue this trend as they grow and learn to explore on their own without their parental guidance. This course itself is a testament to the importance of learning both inside and outside of the classroom, as all experiences throughout life will play a role in shaping people’s perceptions and knowledge. The “Quadlers” represent an ideal situation where children grow up to appreciate the outdoors as a safe place to grow and learn.