Outdoor Learning-Taking the first step

It is often said that a child's brain is like a sponge and that they learn and soak up information at every opportunity.  This is not restricted to the classroom.  Spending time outside in a playground with their peers, with parents or teachers, is also a chance for children to absorb information by learning to use equipment designed for them.  Combine this with the social interaction and collaboration that comes with it; outdoor play is incredibly beneficial for children.  Studies have shown that this kind of activity can also boost physical health and provide better sleep patterns.

The recent pandemic has placed restrictions on many classrooms across the globe, and conducting classes outdoors is being considered by many schools.

Change of mindset

It was often considered that playing outside was governed by the weather.  Wet and dreary days lead to wet and cold children, and many feared that this causes illness.  There are unique opportunities for learning in wet weather. Worms often appear during or after rainfall.  Children will no doubt be excited to feel a wiggly worm in their fingers.

Preparation

The somewhat obvious way to combat the weather is to prepare for it and wear appropriate clothing.  Dressing appropriately will keep everyone warm and dry while they venture out.  If cost becomes an issue, consider asking families to donate outgrown clothing to the school or community center.  Of course, changing in and out of clothing eats into a schedule and can be trying for teachers; they can also be considered excellent learning experiences.  This activity builds on coordination as children place fingers into gloves, keeping them paired up.  Children can collaborate to help each other put on and remove snow boots.

Wearing the proper clothing is the key to venturing outside to learn and should put to bed the fear parents have of children getting cold and wet.

Time to reconsider

Classrooms can be easily expanded to the outside, which can be considered an extension of the classroom.  Many kinds of learning can happen, not just restricted to science—an Art class with clipboards for tables or foldable easels.  Make life easy using a cart with wheels to help transport the Outdoor playground equipment from the inside to out.  Involve the children in the activity to give them responsibility. Drama classes can have a new perspective when the setting moves outside.  Music classes will also have a new experience with instruments needing to be louder or children need to be closer to hear it. Moving classes to the outdoors will bring a whole new set of topics to discuss and brings a new perspective to the classroom experience.  With just a little bit of thought and preparation, it can excite the children into learning with a fresh impetus.  Combine this with the recent Covid-19 issues around social distancing, and this can help keep classes running for longer as studies have shown that contracting the disease is severely reduced while outside.