Overcoming Hesitations: Making the Case for Outdoor Learning

We are honored to publish a guest blog post by Shannon McLeod, from Thrive with Outdoor Learning.

Outdoor learning and outdoor education have amazing benefits for our students, their learning, and their well-being. As an outdoor education teacher, I have seen first hand how when kids learn and play outdoors, they experience the world with all of their senses in a way that is tangible and meaningful to them. However, despite all of these amazing benefits, you might get some pushback from your school administration or from parents. 

Often this pushback or hesitancy stems from misconceptions or misunderstandings of what outdoor learning involves. If you are encountering any pushback from families or your school, there is no need to worry, often a little bit of education and experience can go a long way. Here are a few tips to help bring parents and administrators alongside and help them embrace outdoor learning as well. 

Tip 1: Share the benefits of outdoor learning

For many, outdoor learning might seem like a frivolous “extra” or just an extended recess. However, sharing the many rich and wonderful benefits of outdoor learning can help convince parents or schools to give outdoor learning a shot. There is plenty of research to support these benefits that many people simply aren’t aware of. Some of the benefits you may wish to focus on are :

• Outdoor learning helps educe stress and anxiety in our students
• Students experience increased physical activity while outside
• Outdoor learning provides opportunities to boost social skills and work on team work skills
• Being outdoors helps students developmen of problem-solving skills
• Time in nature provides opportunities to build resilience and self-confidence

Tip 2: Share how outdoor learning supports academic success

The benefits of outdoor learning extend into learning as well. There is no need to worry about missing out on valuable academic time in order to get outside. Outdoor learning provides our students with hands-on and experiential learning opportunities that can align with almost any subject. Additionally, students have been shown to have improved engagement and retention of the knowledge they have gained while outside. Not only will you be able to cover your curriculum, but you will do so in a way that sticks with your students.

The academic benefits of outdoor learning transfer to the classroom as well. After spending time outdoors students have an increased ability to focus and pay attention during classroom work. Outdoor learning also improves student behaviour and classroom dynamics. All of this leads to students who are more ready to learn both indoors and outdoors. 

Tip 3: Address safety concerns

Many people have misconceptions about the risks of working and playing outdoors. However, providing a plan for how you will mitigate those risks can go a long way in helping hesitant families or school administrators embrace outdoor learning. Take some time to create a risk management strategy and do a site assessment will create a learning space that is safe and comfortable for your students and their families. Have this plan ready to share with anyone who wishes to see it.

You may also need to be ready to provide examples of other schools that safely conduct outdoor learning. Reach out to fellow teachers or schools in your area to see if they can provide you with some examples of their learning space, learning in action, routines, and safety protocols. 

Tip 4: Invite families and schools to get involved

One of the quickest ways to get “buy-in” for outdoor learning is to get families and school administrators involved. When they see firsthand how outdoor learning is not only safe but also a rich, fun, and meaningful way to cover the curriculum, they will be hooked. Some easy ways to engage families and other school staff are:

• Keep school staff/families informed in advance of outdoor learning activities so they can be prepared
• Share photos, anecdotes, and learning with the school/families through your school-sharing app or social media
• Provide tips for outdoor learning at home
• Invite families to volunteer during outdoor learning time or to help in creating/revitalizing your outdoor learning space
• Provide avenues for families to advocate for outdoor learning for their students

Even with the best laid plans and clear communication, you may still experience hesitant administrators or family members. This is when it comes time to listen carefully to their concerns. Understanding where the concerns are coming from can help you make a plan to move forward and ensure that everyone feels comfortable with outdoor learning. 

Every child deserves to spend time outdoors exploring their environment and getting to learn from nature. Advocating for and creating experiences to learn outdoors will help our students grow in a wholistic and meaningful way. By spending time outdoors, not only will your students be learning, but they will also be connecting with their environment and building a relationship with nature.