Do you ever set up lessons outside? I’m not talking about extra recess but actual outdoor education. It turns out that outdoor learning has a lot of benefits for students. It’s worth building some outdoor learning into your regular routine.
Benefits of outdoor learning
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of outdoor education — and then we’ll talk about simple ways to make it part of your school day.
1. Improved academics. If families or administration worry that outdoor learning isn’t “real” learning or that academics will suffer, don’t worry. Several studies show that outdoor learning and exposure to nature actually helps students. In school, achievement and standardized testing rise when kids are exposed to outdoor education.
2. Healthier kids. Outdoor learning can lower the transmission of common illnesses that often pass through schools. Plus, more outside time often means more active time. Students who learn outside are more active even outside of school.
3. Better mental health. Being outside and experiencing nature can reduce stress — that goes for students and teachers! Outdoor learning can also help reduce ADHD symptoms.
4. Improved behavior. Students are more likely to cooperate and behave in class after exposure to outdoor learning.
5. Deeper connection to community and nature. Being exposed to nature gives students a different appreciation of the world around them. That can help change attitudes about the environment and the community where students learn outside.
6. More enthusiasm for learning. Not only do students tend to do better academically, but they are also more excited about learning. Attitude can go a long way in the classroom.
7. Supports child development. Having kids moving, being exposed to nature, and doing more hands-on activities benefits all kids. Students with outdoor learning experiences often show more self-confidence, independence, and creativity, among other benefits.
Overcoming challenges to outdoor learning
Outdoor learning sounds great, but many teachers have concerns. Common challenges to outdoor learning include:
- Not enough time
- No appropriate space
- Weather (too hot, too cold, too wet)
- Don’t know what to do outside
So how do you overcome these challenges?
First, don’t think of outdoor learning as an “extra.” Think of it as an integrated part of your curriculum. There are great ways to connect outdoor learning to science, PE, art, writing, and math.
Even urban schools can make use of outdoor space. Container plantings, shade structures, local parks, or community gardens may all be resources. Remember, outdoor learning doesn’t have to look like a classroom with desks and seats; there is a lot more flexibility.
What about the weather? One school in Maine calls outdoor gear part of its infrastructure. Make sure students have access to water in hot weather and warm drinks in cold temps. Create shade structures. It’s possible, but it does take some planning. Setting up an outdoor classroom can be a longer term project, but you can work in outdoor learning during times of the year or days when the weather is more conducive.
Don’t know what to do outside? Let’s look at some activities for outdoor learning and give you some easy ways to start.
Easy ways to make outdoor education a reality
A nature walk is a super easy way to connect kids to nature in an outdoor science lesson. You can look for certain things or pause to identify nature. Students can write observations or do sketches. You could do a walk to the same place at different points throughout the year and see what changes.
Could you do a walking field trip? This could be an outdoor location, such as a park, farm, or river. It could also be a community location, such as a firehouse, local museum, or post office. Choose locations based on your curriculum.
Have an outdoor writing session and use a writing prompt that reflects on your location.
What about science experiments? Some, such as pond, stream, or field studies just make sense to do outside. Weather experiments are other options for outdoor education. Other experiments are messy and might be easier done in an outdoor location.
One of the easiest ways to work in outdoor education is to add some outdoor PE games. Some games move easily from indoors to out. Being outside gives different spaces for kids to move and offers some different options.
Try some games you can play anywhere. You might want to introduce them inside and then have your first outdoor lesson be something familiar. My Classroom Game Cheat Sheets are easy to set up and teach and can be played anywhere.
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Need more outdoor PE games? No Prep Physical Education Plans make it simple. Instead of worrying about what to do or how to use your outside time, you can get out there and get kids moving.
Outdoor learning may seem daunting, but it has so much to offer kids. And you can add benefits by working outdoor learning time in small, simple ways.
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