FEATURE FOCUS: OUTDOOR LEARNING
Why it is more important than ever to connect young people to nature
Fast forward three years and we are seeing a return to business as usual. Once again, we are forgetting to take stock of the natural world around us, being too preoccupied with chasing our busy lives and making up for lost time. While this systematic reprioritisation of nature is a problem across the board, I am most worried about the impact it has on children. Children – with their innate curiosity and sense of wonder- have a natural affinity to nature. Anyone who is a parent like me will likely have similar memories of their children returning from playtime outside - covered in mud and likely missing a shoe - but with sparkling eyes and bright smiles.
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n our second feature this month looking at outdoor learning we are delighted to hear from Natalie Argile, Head Teacher of Blackheath High School in London, who explains why children must be allowed to access the outdoors and learn to appreciate nature.
When looking back at the COVID-19 era, many negative memories come to the fore. It was a source of anxiety, heartbreak, uncertainty and trauma. Yet one of the few positives arising from that terrible time was the solace we took in – and appreciation we found for – nature.
Yet as they get older, dozens of factors emerge to separate children from nature. With the rise of technology, children spend increasing amounts of time inside in front of screens. According to research by UKActive, this generation of children is the least physically active of any in history. As the adults raising them, the onus is on us by ultimately designing their lives to be inside and away from nature.
Looking back to 50 years ago, there was more limited space for outdoor learning in the traditional classroom setting. Most young people would spend their school days perhaps in a single classroom. However, mentality is changing, and we are leaving those days behind where we think of nature as an afterthought. Of course,
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www.education-today.co.uk May 2023
the majority of education will still take part indoors, but we are shifting the mindset towards embracing nature as a way we can facilitate learning.
As climate change rockets up the agenda of individuals and governments alike, it is increasingly important to raise children alongside nature, and to educate them on the critical importance of the natural world. They are, after all, the generation who will grow up with the
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