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Jagpreet
16 August, 2024
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Do you remember those school days when you used to carry that nostalgic school bag and books? The energy, vibe, and happiness when the teacher announced it was time for sports period – getting to go outdoors and leave the regular classroom behind. Kids’ eyes would light up with excitement. It wasn’t just a break from the usual routine; it was a chance to learn in a whole new way. That’s the magic of outdoor education.
But often, we hear news or reports that make us worried about our children’s education.
It is disheartening to hear that many children are not getting enough outdoor time. A report from TreeHugger.com reveals a shocking fact: while inmates in maximum-security prisons in the U.S. get at least 2 hours outside each day, half the children around the world spend less than an hour outside. It is upsetting to realise that kids are spending less time outdoors than prisoners.
Another survey of 12,000 parents in 10 countries found that one-third of children between the ages 5 to 12 spend 30 minutes or less outdoors each day. This led to a new campaign by Unilever’s OMO and Persil brands called“Dirt is Good – Free the Children,”aiming to highlight the importance of outdoor play.
Such reports suggest that there is need to encourage provision of education to the children around us. There needs to be a lot more publicity regarding outdoor education so that the students appreciate the fact that it will be beneficial to them. In this blog, we will explore why outdoor education matters, its effectiveness, and how to make it work.
Outdoor education cannot simply be reduced to just fun and games. It can turn into a versatile means of increasing the effectiveness of class activities and student learning. Looking at all the hours children spend sitting in their classrooms maxed out on studying or in front of their TV screens, their brains will wonder. But, they get true feelings as they are encompassed by the environment.
Often, being outside gives students and teachers a refreshing break from the classroom .Studies show that students get more excited about learning when they are outdoors. Outdoor education lets kids learn by doing. Instead of reading about plants, they can touch, smell, and even taste them. This hands-on experience makes learning stickier.
Better focus:
Spending time in nature has been shown to improve concentration and attention span. This means kids are more likely to soak up information and retain it for longer. Studies have shown that students who spend time outdoors have better grades and are more likely to graduate from high school. As per Outdoor Classroom Day, children who spend time outdoors, get boosts in mental health.
Problem-solving skills:
Outdoor activities often present unexpected challenges. Whether it’s finding the right path, building a shelter, or navigating a river crossing, kids learn to think critically, analyze situations, and develop creative solutions. These challenges foster resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset – all the essential qualities for success in school and life.
For instance, in camping, a student can be in a situation where he/she is asked to erect a tent, and it is very windy. They will need to collaborate with each other and share some information in order to discover the way of solving a problem. This is not only a practical interaction but more effective than just coming across strategies on how to solve various problems in a text book.
Physical health:
Outdoor education is a powerful tool for improving students’ physical health. Spending time outdoors encourages physical activity, essential for children’s growth and development. Studies have shown that children engaging in regular physical activity are likelier to have healthy hearts, strong bones, and a lower risk of chronic diseases.
Furthermore, outdoor education is useful in enhancing the development of the students’ gross motor skills, as well as their balance and coordination. These skills are important for many different tasks, including academic ones, as well as extracurricular tasks that are performed in educational settings. In addition, outdoor education is of great importance in that it assists the learner in being able to develop the right attitude towards outdoor activities as they grow up resulting in enhanced health status.
Emotional well-being:
Being in nature can reduce stress and anxiety. Outdoor education helps kids develop resilience and a positive outlook. Additionally, outdoor education can help students develop a deeper connect with the nature, fostering a sense of respect, wonder and curiosity for the environment. This connect can lead to a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life, as well as a stronger commitment to environmental stewardship.
Outdoor education is not just about throwing kids into the woods and hoping for the best. It needs careful planning and preparation. Here are a few tips:
Set clear learning goals:
What do you want kids to learn from the experience? Make sure your outdoor activities link to the curriculum.
Choose the right location:
The location should be safe, accessible, and interesting. Consider the age and abilities of your students when making your choice.
Prepare for all weather conditions:
Make sure you have a plan for the weather conditions and have equipment to tackle rain, wind, or sunshine.
Involve parents:
Get parents on board with your outdoor education plans. They can help with transport, supervision, or providing equipment.
Reflect on the experience:
XAfter the trip, take time to discuss what kids learned and how it relates to their studies.
Outdoor education is not an innovation; it defines the future education system. First of all, it reflects a prospect to motivate children, make them stronger, and get ready for facing various problems in the future. That is why, by providing children the opportunity to learn in the fresh air and learn how to work with others, we help them become successful in the future.
Therefore, the next time you are scheduling your lessons, it might be a good idea to take your class outside. You should not be too shocked at what you find when you do a scan. Experiential education is not just about fun; it is power- education outside.
It always proves that learning outside benefits the students in so many ways, while at the same time making it entertaining. Because of being a child-friendly app, Braingle enhances the child’s chance to do the following; enhance communication, problem-solving, handling technology, cooperation and critical thinking. Practical activities would help more than any other approach because they would increase the interaction level of the students and therefore would enhance such skills to an effective extent.
Children or students should be made more aware when they are in classes so that they can learn better and be more involved in the lessons being taught. They also learn to concentrate better, and to solve more complex problems and they also gain more interest in different subjects and topics.
Learning outside lets students explore and enjoy nature, stay active, and develop their motor skills. It also encourages them to test their physical limits and have fun getting a bit messy.
