It’s important for children, particularly when they’re young, to learn in different ways and explore a multitude of environments. It teaches pupils that learning can happen both inside and outside of the classroom and that there is always something new to learn whether they are at school or not! A Private School in Hertfordshire called St Christopher has highlighted some of the reasons that outdoor education is important.
Environmental Awareness
Being out in the real world is a great way to encourage curiosity and develop empathy for the environment, this helps children to understand and respect nature. As a result, our children are more likely to become conscious global citizens and help look after the world that we live in. In the current times that we are in, more environmentally aware people in the younger generation is exactly what we need – so let’s encourage it!
Physical & Mental Health
Outdoor learning allows children to explore and develop their physical capabilities by being active and healthy, exploring and experimenting. This is great for kinaesthetic learners, who learn and retain information predominantly through active movement and sensory development. Hearing sounds of nature is a great way to release serotonin in the brain and thus reduce stress. What’s more, a little fresh air can go a long way.
Better Learning
Children in Nursery or Primary School tend to learn better via sensory and physical experiences. For many, learning outdoors at school might be their only opportunity to play safely outside. Being outdoors allows children to develop critical thinking skills. This is because they will find that not everything they experience outside matches up completely to what they read about in books. As a result, they begin to understand how complex the real word is, giving them more realistic expectations.
