External learning and improved wellbeing

By Naomii Seah , Industry Reporter

All children love a chance to get out of the classroom – but can external learning have wellbeing benefits, too?

Many of us will remember the excitement of a school excursion from our own school days. Whether it was a sports trip, or a visit to the local museum or park, there was something about gett ing out of the classroom that always put the spark back into learning for a classroom of kids. Maybe it was the fresh air, or the novel experiences that accompanied field trips: the smell of cut grass, a sharp breeze or the excitement of the unknown that always prompted a fresh enthusiasm for learning.

Once back in the classroom, books didn’t seem as dreary, and tasks not as arduous as before. There’s no doubt that field trips are a refresh, a brain break that can help some students with their intrinsic motivation for schoolwork. Anecdotally, many kids and teachers will extoll the benefi ts of an excursion for increased focus and improved att itude among learners. But can external learning have tangible wellbeing benefi ts?

A few small studies have shown a correlation between external learning and improved mental health and wellbeing in children. One study, involving 511 Danish students aged 9 to 13, showed that psychological wellbeing was improved in students who were regularly exposed to learning beyond the classroom as compared to those who had much less frequent contact with external learning.