Learning in the outdoor environment: Caroline

 

I believe that work in schools should move beyond classroom activities to become more closely involved in the outside world. However, there can be some difficulties with outdoor experiences such as cost of transport, timetable difficulties, and design of school buildings, limited space, travel time and dependency on weather conditions. I believe outdoor experiences provide a sense of trial and error within the learning of children as they have the opportunity to explore for themselves. I believe there is a strong importance of learning outside the classroom reasons such as:

· It allows play opportunities and experimentation

· Learning becomes more engaging

· We can nurture and develop creativity and imagination

· It provides motivation to learn

· Improvement of concentration and can reduce behavioural problems

· Exposure of new opportunities allowing a small element of risk

· First hand experiences of learning outside the classroom can help make subjects more vivid and interesting to enhance understanding

· Outdoor learning can improve personal, social and emotional development

· Combat under-development and allows free movement

· Through practical experiences children can gain a better understanding of the subject

· The activities are child or adult initiated therefore this allows a more integral approach

· Outdoor learning improves academic achievements

· Promotes opportunities for informal learning through play

· Develops skills and independence

· Improves attitude towards learning

A key benefit of using the outdoor environment as a learning context is that “In the outdoors children can explore the world first hand, experience natural phenomena such as the weather, the changing seasons and shadows and the increased space allows them to construct on a bigger scale and move around freely” Ouvry (2003)

Bilton (2010) stated that a further benefit of using the outdoor environment is that children are able to satisfy their needs for challenge and excitement.

Stephenson (2003) believes that learning in the outdoor environment “maintains children’s physical risk taking, and learning how to deal with risk is a part of a child’s natural development and an important life skill, enabling children to develop self-confidence and the disposition to manage risk effectively.”

Tovey (2007) stated that outdoor learning can enhance emotional and social development. According to Maynard teachers commented that when outdoors some of the shy or quieter children became more confident while boisterous or aggressive children became calmer and more focused and were better behaved. Maynard also recognised that while teachers take a role in outdoor learning they feel less pressurised and more relaxed in their surroundings. “They became less of an authoritative figure and more like a guardian who is less concerned about mess or noise. “ (T. Maynard et al)

I had very little outdoor learning experiences whilst attended primary school due to the lack of facilities. However, I vaguely remember walking to the local park in my willies and rain coat and having the opportunity to collect sticks and leaves, jump in puddles, dig up mud and climb trees. We would not do this very often as my school lacked volunteers and free-time but when we did participate in outdoor experiences it allowed me to explore new surroundings and motivated me to learn.

 

Here is a video demonstrating the benefits of outdoor learning and why outdoor learning is essential to the curriculum.




 

Ouvry, M. (2003) Exercising muscles and minds: Outdoor play and the early years curriculum. London: National Early Years Network.

Bilton, H. (2010) Outdoor play in the early year’s management and innovation. 3rd ed. London: David Fulton Publishers.

Stephenson, A. (2003) Physical risk-taking: Dangerous or endangered? Early Years: An International Journal of Research and Development 23, no. 1: 35–43.

Tovey, H. (2007) Playing outdoors: Spaces and places, risk and challenge. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill.

Maynard, T. and Waters, J. (2007) Learning in the outdoor environment: A missed opportunity? Early Years: An International Journal of Research and Development 27, no. 3: 255–65.