Benefits

Studies have shown that there are multiple, proven benefits of outdoor learning for school children including the following:

• Develop reflective and inquisitive thinking along with problem-solving approaches in ‘real’ situations

• Encourage holistic development of children

• Develop resilience and adaptability in occasionally adverse circumstances

• Allow children to become more able to identify hazards and risks

• Develop a love, appreciation and respect for nature and all that is living

• Develop an understanding of how we can look after our environment

• Develop self-awareness, confidence and self-esteem

• Develop collaborative-working and communication skills

• Provide positive health benefits – both physically and mentally – and assist gross and fine-motor development

• Develop a lifelong love of the outdoors

Outdoor Curriculum

Some examples of our outdoor learning program include:

Exploring our nature walk trail to discover and observe animal tracks and working as a team to identify them. This helps the students to learn and practice scientific inquiry, gross motor skills, spatial awareness and teamwork.

Gathering the perfect branches, pinecones and bark on the walks are used for measuring tools, building and yarn wrapping to enhance multiple projects.

While on the trail, children have also enjoyed balancing across large tree trunks as well as climbing and swinging which promotes physical activity and agility.

Children also have the opportunity to discover different species of mushrooms, berries, moss, worms and bugs which teaches them the importance and value of an ecosystem and how all things work together and benefit one another.

Taking measurements of the plants in the Red Barn garden and making observations and predictions about their growth teaches awareness and a close connection to nature.
Children also learn self-awareness and discovery by picking radishes, kale and chives from the Red Barn Garden and determining what each one tastes like and if they like it or not.

Outdoor Learning also provides varied opportunities for sensory output including swinging, jumping, bouncing large balls, obstacle courses, etc. which gets the ‘jitters’ out before settling down to focus on other projects.

To learn more about the specific benefits of outdoor learning for children, read “10 Ways that Outdoor Learning Benefits your Child” by Independent School Parent.