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Children love the great outdoors. What can be more fun for a child than squelching in mud, splashing in puddles and climbing trees? Without even realising it, these outdoor activities can also provide many fantastic learning opportunities for your child.
There are so many advantages to outdoor learning, from developing personal skills, to encouraging problem solving and teamwork. Furthermore, outdoor activities help to show children that learning can happen anywhere; not just in a classroom.
To discover more of the benefits of outdoor learning, here is some helpful information from an independent school in Somerset…
Outdoor learning supports the development of personal skills:
Outdoor learning provides children with plenty of opportunities to practice different personal skills and abilities. For example, building a woodland den will require teamwork, or following a map will test critical thinking skills. Developing these personal skills will all help to boost your child’s confidence.
Outdoor learning improves wellbeing
Learning outdoors will support an active and healthy lifestyle, which will improve your child’s wellbeing. Walking is an ideal way to get some exercise and discovering new places or natural wonders can also help to build a lifelong love of the outdoors.
Outdoor learning encourages problem solving
Outdoor experiences present many new opportunities for children to develop their problem-solving skills. This is because children are exposed to more challenges in an outdoor environment. Through outdoor activities, children are able to identify hazards and evaluate risks. By making the right decisions children will grow in confidence and any wrong decisions will simply become learning opportunities.
Outdoor learning builds a love for nature
Regular outdoor learning encourages children to engage with nature. It also helps them to understand global environmental issues such as deforestation and pollution. Children learn to appreciate and respect the world around them and this will hopefully contribute towards a better planet.
To gain the benefits of outdoor learning, here are some outdoor activities you could try with your children…
A bug hunt
Begin your outdoor learning by introducing your children to the interesting world of bugs! Pack a magnifying glass and let your child study various insects up close, watching their behaviour and exploring their homes.
Growing fruit & veg
Growing a fruit & vegetables is a great way to teach your child about where food comes from. It is also an ideal way to encourage them to add more of this healthy food into their diet. By planting seeds and watching them grow your child will learn all about germination.
DIY bird feeder
If you would like to encourage different wild birds to visit your garden, you could build your own bird feeder. Making a bird feeder is a really fun and simple activity. All you need is some bendy wire, thread on some chopped up apple, cheese and raisins and then hang it in a tree!
Camping
If you fancy a real family adventure, you could consider a camping trip. During your trip your child will have an opportunity to explore nature, learn survival skills and practice map reading. Don’t forget to pack those marshmallows for the camp fire!
