Beyond the classroom: inclusive hiking in the Urbasa Mountains
Teaching students from the University of Navarra carry out an inclusive physical Education activity with children with autism spectrum disorder.
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Students of the TeachingDegree in Primary Education of the University of Navarra have participated in an inclusive hiking workshop . The activity took place in the Sierra de Urbasa, one of the most appreciated natural places in Navarra, and was attended by children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), members of the Navarra Autismassociation .
This activity aims to sensitize the student body of the mentions in Physical Education and Attention to Diversity on the importance of physical activity in people with physical and intellectual disabilities, promote environmental Education , raise awareness about the sustainability of pedagogical proposals, and develop Inclusive Physical Education .
It is a pedagogical innovation project , directed by Apolinar Varela, professor of the School of Education and Psychology. Other professors of the School, such as Leyre Gambra; as well as Sergio Recalde, director of the Mountain Club of the University; Fermín Milagro, researcher of the research center in Nutrition; Ana Villarroya, researcher of the Biodiversity and Environment Institute (Bioma); and Andrea Villegas, professor of the IES Alaitz and expert educator in Urbasa, also participate in the project.
According to Leyre Gambra, "these subject of outings allow Education students to understand internship on how to adapt the environment to the needs of all children. She adds that "future teachers learn to design real inclusive strategies, such as the use of pictograms or the planning of accessible routes, thus promoting a truly inclusive Education ," she explains.
promote sporting activity among people with disabilities
This proposal arises from the interest in promoting access to physical activity for people with ASD, since it has been demonstrated that, in our society, there is a leave rate of sports participation among people with disabilities, compared to the non-disabled population.
As Professor Apolinar Varela points out, "this subject of financial aid projects financial aid university students to land all those theoretical contents related to Physical Education in the Natural Environment, in this case through hiking and everything that involves the organization of an outing to the natural environment such as Urbasa. In addition, interdisciplinary learning is added with the accredited specialization in Attention to Diversity, which promotes in future teachers a sensitivity towards inclusive physical Education in all subject of contexts".
"It has been a very enriching experience for both students and users of the association, who have enjoyed nature in an environment prepared for them. It has been an opportunity to learn, empathize and confirm that inclusion is possible in any context if it is properly planned," says Professor Leyre Gambra. For his part, Apolinar Varela adds that the fact of having shared a fun, inclusive and educational day is a source of satisfaction for everyone at the project. "Receiving the gratitude of the families and the Autism association of Navarra is the best recognition we can have for such a project of innovative professor . This encourages us to think of new ideas for the future".
