Why Outdoor Learning

Benefits of Nature

Academic Benefits

Students were more engaged and less distracted after  lessons in a natural outdoor setting compared to  classroom based lessons. citation 

Mental health benefits 

Access to natural environments can benefit children in various ways, including improvements  in confidence, social interactions, cognitive  development, academic achievement, and emotional well-being. citation 

Social Emotional Learning

Nature-based early childhood education activities can have a positive impact on students' social emotional development, including self-regulation, social skills and play interaction. citation

School garden activities have been linked to positive emotions in students -- including happiness, pride and wonder-- and an increase in positive social behavior such as communication and cooperation. citation. 

Physical benefits 

Green school grounds improve the quantity and quality of elementary school children’s physical activity. citation 

Teacher benefits 

An hour or two of outdoor learning every week increases teachers' job satisfaction. citation

Equity

School garden activity may promote science equity and  help close the achievement gap between more-privileged students. citation 

Many of our students have long faced barriers that restrict their freedom of movement in outdoor spaces, including barriers rooted in systemic racial inequities; infrastructure (absence of sidewalks and parks); concerns about safety; environmental toxins; and hyper-surveillance when in public spaces.  Through outdoor learning, we can intentionally provide students with safe, engaging, and joyful time outside as part of the school day. 

Additional Resources

The Research Library of the Children and Nature Network provides a searchable database of scientific articles. 

Why Teach Outdoors, Openlands. This document provides a quick overview (with citations) of some of the reasons to bring students outside, including ecological literacy, social emotional learning and whole child benefits. 

Guidance for Reopening Schools, NAAEE. This guide document considers outdoor learning as a COVID prevention strategy in school reopening plans.