There are many reasons why teaching and learning outside is so important, here are just a few…
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The outdoor environment is multi-sensory so children use all their senses to investigate the world around them.
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Being outdoors provides children with opportunities to investigate and explore different types of materials, and seasonal changes, in a meaningful way.
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Only outdoors can children properly experience, first hand, the natural world. It enables a better understanding of life cycles – plants and animals.
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Natural resources develop imagination and creativity as they are completely open-ended, enabling the development of critical thinking.
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Being outside allows for children to take risks in a safe environment
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Being outdoors is better suited to the developmental needs of many children.
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Playing outside creates a sense of well being and helps to develop positive attitudes such as perseverance and self-confidence.
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Physical play promotes healthy attitudes and can combat obesity.
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Healthy eating is promoted as children are more likely to eat what they have grown.
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Personal and social qualities are developed and fostered as children work together at activities of their own choosing.
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Outdoor learning is memorable! Experiences are retained in the limbic part of the brain which stores long and short-term memories and emotions.
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Environmental awareness is fostered as children learn to take care of their environment and the plants and creatures found within it.
At St. Thomas More, we endeavour for all of our children to experience high quality outdoor learning regularly. The children in EYFS to Year 2 take part in weekly Forest School.