Although summer is on our minds and the end of school draws near, it is important to consider ways in which we can optimize the educational experience for students upon return to the classroom and in the coming school year. Read on, for the first in the PlayQuest Outdoor Classroom series…
In addition to a whole world of educational opportunities, the open-air of the outdoor classroom facilitates easy physical distancing for students and teachers alike. When outdoors, students have the space and ability to remain an appropriate distance from one another, while allowing for more natural interactions between teachers and students. Proper physical distancing can be facilitated by strategic placement of stools or custom graphics on poured in place rubber surfacing.
The mental health of our children and students is of equal importance to the physical. One way to promote mental health and emotional wellbeing is to increase exposure to the outdoors! Time spent in nature is proven to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. The opportunity for the more intuitive social experience that can happen outdoors will positively affect mental health, and only adds to the case for outdoor learning! Learning, productivity, and creativity are all proven to benefit from increased mental health.
With health precautions in place for the foreseeable future, everyone’s favourite day at school has been put on the back burner. An outdoor classroom, however, can serve as your school’s very own field trip destination! Make use of a rainy day and incorporate the natural phenomenon in every subject for the school day or plan ahead for a nature-themed day of exploration – the possibilities are endless!
Statistics show that all over the country, people are making use of public outdoor spaces and natural areas more than ever! Not every child, however, is given exposure to the outdoors at home. Some families are just not outdoorsy! Outdoor classrooms offers children a positive experience with nature and the outdoors in a safe, somewhat structured environment with trusted teachers and friends nearby. Exposure to nature through an outdoor classroom may encourage and foster an important connection to the environment that will benefit a child through their entire lives.
With fewer opportunities for extracurricular activities such a sports, dance, or clubs, children are filled with boundless energy and have fewer outlets to make use of it! A daily outdoor classroom period provides students with an extra opportunity to expend some of their pent up energy outdoors, where running, jumping, and playing are all encouraged. Students with less latent energy have more focus and tend to preform better in traditional classroom settings. Yet another way in which an outdoor classroom can complement in-class learning.
