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Newsletter No: 27 Friday, 14th May 2021 quarters of UK children spend less time outside than prison inmates - so there can hardly be a bigger argument for taking learning outdoors. Learning outdoors can also inspire kids to become physically active in their spare time and this a great tool in fighting against the risk of childhood obesity. Outdoor learning vs screen-time
It's been so wonderful to see the way the children have engaged with our various activities around #mentalhealthawarenessweek. The main focus for the campaign this year has been on getting out into nature, and whilst this is something that always forms part of our daily life at school, it's been brilliant to see the extra spotlight on it over the last few days. The children have enjoyed using natural dyes in forest school to make bunting, participated in a gender equality boot camp experiment, made transient art with flowers, leaves, pebbles and twigs, baked flatbreads over a fire, taken off their shoes and socks to connect with the earth under their feet, done outdoor phonics, climbed trees and built dens and played on the new Reception building equipment and much more.
The powerful combination of a diversity of play experiences and direct contact with nature has direct benefits for children’s physical, mental and emotional health. Free play opportunities in natural settings offer possibilities for restoration, and hence, well-being.
We probably all have a faint idea that’s it good to be outside, and not stuck indoors. After all, it’s something our parents have drilled into all of us. There are real physiological, social and academic benefits to taking learning outside, just as there are drawbacks to not doing so.
Outdoor learning improves behaviour
Children work better in groups when they are outside and have a fuller sense of freedom. Collaboration outdoors can improve emotional, intellectual and behavioural development. Those learning outdoors develop their creativity, problem-solving, independence and confidence.
Outdoor learning connects us to nature
Outdoor learning gives children a love and appreciation of our natural surroundings Many academic studies have connected outdoor learning and play to instilling a sense of civic duty in young people, also feeding into a sense of place in their community. One report notes that “Playful, experiential and interactive contact with nature in childhood is directly correlated with positive environmental sensibility and behaviour in later life.”
It probably goes without saying, but getting outdoors provides a refreshing new setting - providing a bit of variety to the monotony of the four classroom walls. Outdoor learning encourages Outdoor learning improves personal children to be more well-mannered, child development tolerant and polite with each other.
Outdoor learning improves children’s health
Outdoor learning can improve our wellbeing - physical, mental and emotional.
Humans have a natural and innate desire to seek connection with nature. When we are deprived of these opportunities, negative outcomes can follow. This can include diminished use of the senses, difficulties with paying attention and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses. Unfortunately, in the 21st century, children are exploring and interacting with the surrounding natural environment less often. In fact, three-
As parents, many of us struggle to find a balance between engagement with technology and healthy activities away from screens. Children who spend long, regular periods playing online games such as Fortnite, which has a PEGI age rating of 12 in the UK, can show increased aggression and difficulty concentrating. Research at the California State University indicates that in excessive users of the game, ‘the amygdala-striatal system – the impulsive section of the brain – was smaller and more sensitive in addicted players / users, in order to process the stimuli of games faster.’ The risk factors are higher for younger children, whose brains are still developing and whose reward system develops at a faster rate than their self-control system. There is plenty of evidence that appropriate online gaming has social and problem-solving skills benefits for children and gaming is certain to be a part of their lives in a way that it wasn’t for previous generations. If we aim to incorporate screen-time appropriate to the age and stage of the individual child and with an eye on online safety into a wide range of activities, structured and unstructured, indoors and importantly, outdoors, we can offer our children the most valuable opportunities for healthy development and wellbeing. As well as getting out into nature, we all know the positive impact that sport and
physical activity has on all of us. I particularly enjoyed seeing a link to this article on twitter in the New York Times, which gets under the bonnet in terms of the connection between exercise and purpose in life, underscoring the virtuous circle between physical activity and psychological wellbeing. https:// www.nytimes.com/2021/05/12/well/move/ exercise-mental-health-flourishing.html I've also attached this really great resource for outdoor wellbeing games and activities, some of which we have tried out this week in school: https:// cdn.naturalresources.wales/ media/691058/activities-and-games-health -and-well-being.pdf and some research on the benefits of nature for children and adults https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/ documents/noticing-nature-report-feb2020.pdf •
https://childmind.org/article/ parents-guide-dealing-fortnite/
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https://www.pocket-lint.com/ games/news/144125-whatparents-need-to-know-aboutfortnite
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https:// www.digitalawarenessuk.com/ schools
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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/ news/2018/06/12/addictivevideo-games-may-changechildrens-brains-way-drugs/
Best wishes for a lovely weekend,