When we think of our child’s education, most of us picture a classroom environment or their head in a book. However, learning comes in lots of shapes and sizes and sometimes getting out of the classroom and into a new environment can really enrich a child’s academic experience. That’s why lots of schools provide outdoor learning opportunities for students, to make use of all of the resources available to them and help engage kinaesthetic learners. A primary school in Hillingdon explores the benefits of outdoor learning in more detail below.



One of the more obvious advantages to outdoor learning is the physical and mental health benefits it provides. Children who are able to run around outdoors, receive fresh air and hear the sounds of nature will be both physically fitter and less stressed. This is due to the endorphins that are released in the brain when engaging in these kinds of activities. Since lots of children don’t have access to a safe outdoor environment at home, having that chance at school is of the utmost importance.

Outdoor learning also demonstrates to children that there are opportunities to learn all around us, not just in the classroom. The experience helps bring to life some of the things they have been learning about in books, which often allows them to retain the information to a greater degree. When schools have a nature reserve the benefits of seeing plants and animals in their natural environment cannot be emphasised more. Seeing the beauty of bees, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs and pond life as well as trees, bushes and flowers can all help to learn about science, nature and geography. With that said, outdoor learning can improve overall academic performance for children across the board.

Another benefit of outdoor learning is that it helps children develop a sense of empathy towards the environment. It is crucial to help young people become respectful global citizens and protect the world where possible, which isn’t something they can truly grasp from a textbook. For more information on the benefits of outdoor learning and how your child’s school incorporates it into their curriculum, don’t hesitate to contact their teachers.

*Collaborative post