7 Benefits of Outdoor Learning

 “We have such a brief opportunity to pass on to our children our love for this Earth, and to tell our stories. These are the moments when the world is made whole. In my children’s memories, the adventures we’ve had together in nature will always exist.” - Richard Louv

Taking your children outside can benefit them – and you - in countless ways. Outdoor experiences can contribute to improved mental and physical health, strengthening life skills and social skills, as well as making memories whilst building bonds between you as a family.

In Islam, we are wholly encouraged to respect the environment and care for nature, taking care not to ruin Allah’s creation but to be climate-conscious and tread gently on the ground, appreciating and preserving the beauty of our world.

Increases Learner Engagement

In an educational environment, spending time learning outside can help with students’ academic performances through higher levels of motivation and more positive engagement, thus contributing to a more well-rounded learning experience. Outdoor learning becomes energetic and captivating, rather than just passive.

Outdoor experiences can help children engage in more imaginative and dynamic forms of learning, and is particularly beneficial for those children who tend to under-achieve and struggle to concentrate – especially in formal classroom settings.

Learning tends to be much more organic and based on direct experience – they can actively explore, or sit and observe - and this ultimately means the students are more engaged through their own personal ways of learning.

Brings Out the Best in Introverts and Extroverts

The outdoors works well for both introverts and extroverts, giving all children the space to fully appreciate the wonder and beauty of the world around them, with ample opportunity to see how everything in the environment is connected – including themselves.

Introverted, quiet children who may crave alone time, can find opportunities to seek out their own quiet working space and just be themselves.

For extroverted children, outdoor learning is a perfect way to increase social interactions, where they can explore together, share their discoveries and work together to solve problems.

Creates Lasting Memories

Outdoor environments are often perfect settings to create long-lasting memories, through positive shared experiences.

With so many things to observe and discover, so many of the best childhood memories are created outside - whilst climbing trees, picnicking on a beach, building dens, or sharing stories around a campfire. Perhaps it is easier to recall memories from the outdoors as our senses tend to be heightened, and we are without the distractions of technology.

Being outdoors allows us to connect with each other, and with nature, and more often than not, each outdoor experience will be different to the last.

Improves Physical Health

In the outdoors, there is more space to move, stretch, be active and simply breathe in some fresh air and take in some all-important vitamin D – all factors which contribute to boosting a healthy immune system.

Because so many of us tend to be sitting at desks for long stretches of time, and living increasingly sedentary lives, it is imperative that this is balanced out with time outdoors, and physical exercise.

Outdoor play tends to encourage bigger movement and higher energy exercises, such as running, jumping, climbing and rolling. This in turn releases endorphins into the bloodstream and can help with the production of melatonin – resulting in a better night’s sleep!

Improve Emotional and Mental Wellbeing

Being outdoors can help to regulate children’s moods, decreasing hyperactivity, as well as significantly reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Research has shown that outdoor learning activities promote the release of dopamine and serotonin, as well as reducing the stress hormone cortisol - all of which will result in increased feelings of safety and wellbeing, and decreased stress levels.

Spending time in nature has a soothing, calming effect which can be quite comforting to children and can foster a sense of relief, release and sanctuary from pressures of school, peers or family.

Develops Life Skills

Whilst being outdoors helps children to respect nature and the environment, these experiences can also strengthen a multitude of life skills – from being able to identify hazards, to working with others - whilst making, cooking, growing and creating.

Gardening will help children appreciate where their food comes from, outdoor cooking can take children back to basics, realising the value of natural resources, and nature-based art activities will teach children to find the beauty in the world around them.

Some children may find that they have more determination and perseverance when spending time outdoors, compared to in a classroom environment, and may find that the outdoors fosters a higher degree of resilience, creative thinking and problem-solving – in turn nurturing their self-esteem and confidence.

Builds Appreciation and Care for Our World

By exploring and experiencing the outdoors, children can develop their understanding of the world, the environment and nature, all whilst appreciating the beauty of Allah’s creation.

From sitting in the grass and identifying plants and insects, to lying on their backs and watching the clouds float by, there is so much out there for children to see and engage with. They can smell the earth, taste the rain and feel the wind, and can begin to see how nature works, and how they themselves are a part of the ecosystem. In turn, this understanding creates a desire to nurture and care for their environment and the wider world around them.