Outdoor Learning 

How does Outdoor Learning benefit my child?

Children are stimulated and intrigued by outdoor environments, this taps into a child’s natural curiosity. Children who play in natural environments undertake more diverse, creative and imaginative play.

Research has shown that Outdoor Learning :

encourages motivation
increases self-esteem, self-confidence and self-belief
helps development of communication & language skills
encourages exploration of social relationships and development of social skills
encourages team building skills
encourages personal responsibility and independence – e.g. making informed choices, using initiative to solve problems, learning to evaluate risk
gives an understanding that improves the relationship with the outdoors
gives ownership and pride in the local environment and respect for natural environments.

 In addition your child will benefit from:
increased oxygen = increased brain functions
increased vitamin D production
gross motor & fine motor movement/skills & physical exercise
reduced stress from being outdoors through reduced Cortisol (a stress chemical in the body)
play outdoors increases the speed of messages between all parts of the brain and nervous system

Outdoor Learning :

Children are able to explore in a relaxed and nurturing learning environment and to participate in small achievable tasks which have been carefully chosen to include all learning styles.

The Outdoor Learning environment provides opportunities to explore the natural world together with seasonal changes and experience a variety of changes in the weather.

By focusing on self-esteem children can thrive socially and personally and progress in all areas of learning and development.

This environment provides opportunities for all children to develop creativity, problem solving, risk taking, team work, innovation and also raises potential academic achievement.

Outdoor Learning provides opportunities to:-

Develop personal, social and emotional skills

Develop communication and language skills

Discover new interests

Follow preferred learning styles

Improve concentration, motivation and decision making

Develop fine and gross motor skills

Learn practical skills including how to use tools to create woodcraft, build shelters and manage natural resources

To find ways of overcoming practical problems and working through challenges

Evaluate situations which involve risk taking

Experience success and a sense of achievement on a regular basis

Learn about the benefits of a balanced and healthy lifestyle

Learn about the links between humans, wildlife and the earth

Share experiences and knowledge