Benefits of outdoor learning and play in your school
Benefits of outdoor learning and play in your school
It is important for SBMs to consider encouraging more outdoor learning and play to aid students with their development in key areas. Being in the outdoors has many benefits for children and it is up to SBMs to ensure that the whole school factors in outdoor time. We explore the benefits of outdoor learning and play in your school to help you understand why your school needs outdoor time. You can also share these benefits with staff to encourage them to take their lessons outdoors.
Deepens connection with nature
Learning and playing outdoors helps children deepen their connection with nature. Being outdoors lets students understand nature and the environment that surrounds us. This understanding of nature aids children to know how to protect the environment as well. It is extremely important for children to have valuable time outdoors due to this.
Consider encouraging your staff to combine important lessons with memorable experiences outside. Doing this means that students can have a positive relationship with nature and reinforces a passion and love for the outdoors.
Supply your school with our let's investigate nature pack to further this vital connection to nature. Students can match up the stones with items that can be found outside to understand them more and why they are important.
Improves child development
Being in the outdoors aids child development in various aspects such as independence development and confidence. This is due to them being away from their everyday schedule and classroom-based learning. Other areas outdoor learning and play develop in students are social skills, physical skills, communication skills, knowledge and understanding, and boosts motivation. It can also help to boost a positive attitude to working, working cooperatively and self-esteem.
Tops up vitamin D
As children spend more time outdoors, they gain more vital vitamin D. It is crucial for children to get vitamin D as it helps with their development as well as maintaining a healthy mind and body. Vitamin D keeps our bones, muscles and teeth healthy which is vital for everyone, especially children. It also aids in boosting serotonin making people happier which in turn helps them to be healthier mentally.
Deepens curricular learning
Outdoor learning allows children to understand curricular lessons deeper as they experience them in a new and exciting way. Outdoor learning provides students with practical, real-life experiences that they can carry with them into their futures. This brings with it a whole new skillset such as problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork whilst ticking off boxes for curricular learning.
Let students understand phonics more whilst having fun outdoors to deepen their English learning. Provide your school with our phonics spots that children can use in various ways. They can shout out the sounds and merge them together to create words or they can hop/jump to each sound to make a word.
Improves emotional and social skills
Playing and learning outdoors allows students to explore and process feelings in an environment that they can control. As the outdoors is more spacious, children can work and play in groups more easily. Group learning and play allows children to develop an understanding of others, boost their communication skills and practice empathy.
Gives inclusive and engaging learning
Heading outdoors gives students an inclusive and engaging learning environment and experience. This is because they break free from the classroom and are encouraged to learn in their own way they are comfortable with. It’s particularly important for SEN students as the classroom can bring anxious feelings and feelings of being academically and socially different. The outdoors eliminates this for SEN students.
There are more opportunities for students to be together and experience the same activities making it inclusive for all. It gives children a sensory learning experience so they feel less tied to one way of learning and can explore different types that work for them.
Supports mental health
Spending time outdoors significantly boosts children’s mental health and wellbeing. It is also suggested that when children spend less time outdoors, it can lead to behavioural issues. By encouraging your staff to take their lessons outdoors, you can combat this in your school and improve students' mood, wellbeing and confidence.
Due to high expectations from social media and the pressure of academic performance, children face much more stress. Ensuring your students spend time outdoors is crucial to help relieve these stresses and allow them to learn in their own way while having fun.
Encourages physical fitness
One of the biggest benefits of outdoor learning and play is that it improves physical health as students can be physically active through having fun and exploring the outdoors. Having plenty of outdoor time during the school day encourages physical fitness for children. This is increased through physical learning activities and play. Children can run, jump, chase and climb which aids in critical development such as motor skills, stability, muscle development and bone development.
A great way to get your school outside and be physically active is through our sensory circles. These mats encourage a range of various motions and movements while investigating nature. They also help to develop motor skills and give children sensory stimulation. Stock up on these mats for your staff to use so that students can explore the outdoors and get active.
Use these benefits of outdoor learning and play to encourage your staff and students to spend quality time outdoors. Consider ways you can further encourage your school and how you can get students outside more. You could allocate some time not just in breaks for students to be outside that can work year-round in good weather.
Gain some outdoor activity inspiration for your school to share with staff and encourage outdoor time with our schooling outdoors guide.
