Outdoor learning in the primary years is very important for child development. Not only can students explore the outside world with a different lens than in the classroom, they can develop new creative and critical thinking skills. Outdoor learning is a reciprocal relationship. Students can learn foundational skills inside the classroom and apply the learning outside. They can also be present with the outside world and bring that learning inside to increase understanding of many different concepts. This post will look at more benefits of outside learning and simple ways that you can begin taking your students outside to learn.
Outdoor Learning Versus Learning Outside
There is a difference between outdoor learning and learning outside. As Green Schools Network explains, outdoor learning is not about traditional learning taken outside. For example, students many write in journals. Traditional learning might have you take the kids outside to write in their journals because it is nice outside or warm in the classroom. Outdoor learning is place-based. The journals may be used to track changes in the surrounding environment. This way, outdoor learning can take place anywhere. Many schools do not have a forested area in which students can learn.
Outdoor learning is also interdisciplinary. I have always focused my teaching on connecting different areas of the curriculum. It makes teaching easier (think smarter, not harder). It also helps students to connect learning together and not see it as many different unrelated subjects. So that journal might now be a science journal and students are tracking changes to the environment over the school year.
Outdoor learning also has social-emotional and stress-reducing benefits. We all know that just getting outside on a nice sunny Saturday or Sunday makes us feel good. Wild and Immersive from UBC in Vancouver, BC provides the top 10 benefits of outdoor education:
- learning styles (access for all)
- higher grades or achievement
- Increased motivation
- sparking passions for science
- self-efficacy
- mindfulness
- personal growth
- positive behaviour
- environmental attitudes
- overall health
If you are a big advocate for mindfulness learning or want to know more, you can start here for some great tips.
How Do I Get Started With Outdoor Learning?
Like any new learning, students will need some guidance. It would be beneficial if students were to be part of a classroom meeting whereby they can help co-create the expectations for outdoor learning. I know many teachers who were very nervous to start because they feared chaotic behavior and not being able to “reel them in” when it was time to go in. When expectations are very clear, most teachers are pleasantly surprised at the positive impact this type of learning can have on students. This positive impact tends to be particularly noticeable in students who struggle with self-regulation. Most children love to be outside and are very willing to follow rules and exceptions when they know it will lead to outside time.
The best way to get started after co-creating rules and expectations is just to get outside. Students will need clipboards so they can have a sturdy surface to write or draw observations. A good first project is a simple scavenger hunt that can be done with partners. If you have access to iPads, you may want to use those instead and have students take photos. This can also be a support for students who need it so that they can still access the task.
To appreciate the outside and the benefits of learning outside, teach students to slow down and observe. Some teachers use a sit spot where individual students have a specific spot to sit outside where they can observe nature and changes as the year goes on. You can also utilize an outdoor learning journal. These are simple to use and can be a great starting point.
To support, supplement or teach about the outdoors, I am always a fan of a great children’s book. Here are a few to get you started:
Have fun helping your students explore and learn from the outside world in your little place of the world.
Find more Earth, Environment or Outdoor Learning here.
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