Outdoor Learning

 

Personally I strongly agree that the outdoor environment is a fantastic and ideal environment for children to explore and progress their experiential learning. The outdoor learning environment is a very open concept which has a wide range of educational activities with different conceptions in many different settings, such as forest schools, Museums, Theatres etc. The outdoor environment is regarded as an important element for effective early year’s education that has increasingly become recognized for its importance. Outdoor environments are very important and have substantial research evidence to back up its theory that the outdoor environment has positive impacts within: • Attitudes, beliefs and self-perceptions, independence, confidence, self esteem • Interpersonal and Social skills • Development of general skills and engagement and achievement • Improved physical self-image and fitness and promotes positive behavior Even though the outdoor learning environment learning has positive impacts it also has barriers which can prevent outdoor learning, these can include concern over Health and Safety, teachers lack of confidence, shortage of time, limited opportunities, school Curriculum requirements, wider changes within and beyond the education sector. I agree with (Estyn, 2010) that as well as external factors to the outside learning environment there are also many factors and influences that have been identified through a person’s influence. Many of these include, a person’s age, their physical difficulties, whether the person has special educational needs. Many people also have a lack of prior knowledge or experience towards outside learning as well as taking into consideration people’s ethnic and cultural difficulties. Many other people have fears and phobias that prevent this style of learning, also taking into consideration that everyone is different and that their learning styles may not adapt with this particular style of learning. I believe that not everyone is fully aware of the barriers that are in place and these need to be looked at in close detail and the outcomes need to studied and overcome in order for there to be no barriers in the subject of outdoor learning. I understand that Frobel, Montessori and Margret Mcmillan have now placed a great emphasis on outdoor play and the learning environments that are aimed for young children. (Richardson, et al., 2004)I strongly agree that emphasis should be made towards outdoor learning and this is why I couldn’t agree more with this quote ‘Children would have greater opportunities to expand and experiment their knowledge in many different subjects if there was more outdoor learning and a greater chance of an outdoor environment within the learning of Wales.’ (Richardson, et al., 2004)Looking at the research and evidence that are provided in Articles, Journals, Video’s and Quotes I completely understand and see how important outdoor play is to children and their development. . I have taken this video from below from www.youtube.co.uk