Keeping Informed About Outdoor Learning

We're excitedly gearing up for the new 23/24 academic year starting this September! Parents are breathing that sigh of relief, teachers are preparing their classrooms with new colourful display boards and children are ready to return to school with their friends.'

Over the summer, we've been making some amazing plans with new schools joining The Outdoor Classroom ready to hit the ground running. Over the last 5 years, outdoor learning has been finally gaining the recognition it deserves for the ample benefits to mental, physical and developmental wellbeing in young people.'

It can be really difficult not only finding the time to properly research these claims, but to know who to trust when you're looking into information about outdoor learning for children. Rest assured, we're well versed in all the benefits of outdoor learning, but we don't expect you to simply take our word for it! Which is why we're sharing some of our top advocates and key information about outdoor learning and why you, too, should make it a staple of your school's curriculum.

Learning Through Landscapes

Learning Through Landscapes are a UK based charity, who dedicate their work to enhancing outdoor learning and play for children of all ages. The organisation boasts over three decades of experience, practical action and in-depth research into all things outdoor learning!

'Outdoor learning in education is a planned and purposeful approach that uses activities and resources to enhance learning, mental health and wellbeing, and environmental awareness… It offers a stimulating and engaging approach to learning and teachers can confidently weave it into the existing curriculum with minimal additional resources.''

Dr Kumaree Padayichie

Dr Kumaree Padayichie has worked tirelessly in education for 18 years, currently serving as lecturer and module co-ordinator for Bachelor of Education at a private university. Writing for Structural Learning, she says,

'...outdoor play is essential for healthy development, especially in children's early years as being energetic outside, provides children with invaluable experiences that can directly influence their physical and emotional development, social skills, creativity and even their intelligences.'

Towards a Convergence Between Science and Environmental Education: The selected works of Justin Dillon

If you're more of a bookworm, Justin Dillon's 2016 compilation of works has a really interesting section: The Value of Outdoor Learning: Evidence from Research in the UK and Elsewhere.

An academic report collaboratively investigated with Mark Rickinson, Kelly Teamey, Marian Morris, Mee Young Choi, Dawn Sanders and Pauline Benefield looks in depth at the benefits to outdoor learning both researched by the authors and others before them. So if you're looking for something a little more researched then this is the book for you.

'Eaton (2000) found that outdoor learning experiences were more effective for developing cognitive skills than classroom-based learning.'

There are literally thousands of investigations into the impact of outdoor learning on young minds to read for yourself. The key when it comes to making decisions for your school pupils is of course being self informed, which is why we encourage our schools not only to take out word for it, but to review our case studies, test the app for themselves with our free trial or contact us with any questions so we can offer a tailored information pack addressing your school's unique needs.'

Book a quick demonstration with Josh Jenner to find out more about us and our offering.