Why Outdoor Learning
Research has documented many benefits of outdoor learning. This page provides and overview and links to research on the benefits of student interactions with nature.
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.