Half term: the academic and social benefits of getting outdoors
With mental health campaigns often focusing on the toll of modern life on adults, we rarely see a focus on the wellbeing of children or teenagers. Key findings from the 2020 Good Childhood Report* show that overall happiness in 10 to 15-year-olds in the UK continues to decline, meaning there’s never been a more important time for parents to discover different ways to boost happiness and motivation in their children.
With the report also revealing that the coronavirus pandemic has left many children feeling they lack choices in life, Becky Ward, Education Experience Specialist at tutoring company Tutor Doctor wants to remind parents that learning is not a one-size fits all proposition.
“As the summer months approach, I’d like to encourage parents not to place their focus entirely on their children catching up for the next academic year, but instead to consider the benefits of spending time immersed in nature,” said Becky. “Children who spend time in nature will have an increased sense of wellbeing as well as being more likely to care for the natural environment.”
In a survey carried out by Ofsted in May 2021**, 65% of parents expressed concern about the impact of COVID-19 on their child’s mental health, whilst 45% worried about their child’s physical health. Getting outdoors acts as a great mood booster (nature enhances a sense of peace and brings out nurturing qualities in children) and also has plenty of educational benefits. The natural world is a huge learning laboratory and provides endless opportunities for discovery, creativity, problem-solving and STEM education. For example, any student who studies biology will find learning about botany useful as its often core knowledge in early biology studies. Getting outside also encourages children to stay active, alongside switching off and spending time away from their screens.
Here, Becky outlines three of the top benefits of being out in nature:
1. Children are more creative when exposed to nature; they can use all their senses rather than just sight and sound. This provides a different stimulation as opposed to being sat in a classroom or online learning at home.
2. Children who spend more time in nature have more friendships that are based upon inventiveness and resourcefulness rather than physical prowess. An unstructured style of play allows children to interact meaningfully with their peers and surroundings.
3. In schools that have outdoor classrooms, children tend to do better across the board regardless of subject. As well as reducing stress and fatigue, being outdoors also promotes creativity and imagination.
Getting out and about is an easy way of incorporating learning for your child, whether it’s a muddy walk or picnic in the park. Discussing the things you find and experience is an extremely simple way to add in some low key, low stress (but very engaging) learning as you decompress and relax.
The National Trust have been encouraging children to get outside with their ’50 things to do in your back garden’ campaign. From wearing a wild crown or making a home for wildlife creatures to stargazing, they are urging families to discover what’s waiting just outside their windows. You could surprise yourself at how much nature you can connect with on your doorstep – your back garden is a natural playground just waiting to be explored.
With the last term of school fast approaching and the long-awaited summer holidays on the horizon, boosting happiness and motivation is a win for parents and their children – whether it’s in a conventional classroom setting or not.
To find out more please visit https://www.tutordoctor.co.uk/