There are many benefits of teaching outdoors.  Children are not moving the way they used to. Children’s play has evolved, and this shift is impacting children’s health and well-being. Therefore, we, the educators, must start to incorporate this into our teaching.  In particular, there are some specific benefits to teaching science outdoors.

• Physical Development: Children develop motor skills through activities such as climbing, balancing, digging, and collecting.

• Mental Health and Well-being: Nature reduces stress, promotes calmness, and improves attention spans.

• Engagement and Motivation: Outdoor learning often leads to increased curiosity, engagement, and a deeper sense of ownership of the learning process.

• Real-World Connections: Science becomes more relevant when children observe concepts in real environments (e.g., life cycles, weather, ecosystems).

Muddy Task

Take a look at some of these articles and make notes:

• NHS – Physical activity guidelines for children and young people
  https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-children-and-young-people

• Sport England – National School Sports Week 2024
  https://www.sportengland.org/blogs/national-school-sports-week-2024

• PGL – The importance of promoting physical activity in early years
  https://schoolsandgroups.pgl.co.uk/the-importance-of-promoting-physical-activity-in-early-years

• Youth Sport Trust – PE and attainment evidence paper
  https://www.youthsporttrust.org/media/zyyo133r/pe-and-attainment-evidence-paper-january-2022.pdf

• Education Endowment Foundation – Physical activity toolkit
  https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/teaching-learning-toolkit/physical-activity

• GOV.UK – Physical activity helps children to deal with life’s challenges
  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/physical-activity-helps-children-to-deal-with-life-s-challenges

• Wycliffe College – Why sport is important in school
  https://www.wycliffe.co.uk/senior-school/why-sport-is-important-in-school

• GOV.UK – New PE guidance for schools
  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-pe-guidance-for-schools-strengthens-equal-access-to-sport

• The Sun – Five million kids in health initiative (re: The Daily Mile)
  https://www.thesun.co.uk/health/26839790/five-million-kids-health-initiative-school-teacher-playground