WHY?  Is there really any need to teach outdoors, especially in nature?  Is this just a fad?

 

No this should not be just a fad!  YES! There is a need.  

The world is waking up to the importance of talking about and being educated about mental health.  The international pandemic Covid 19 was a significant player in issuing in this new awaking, especially for children and youth.  European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry journal reports in the first wave of the pandemic children and adolescents experienced deterioration in mental health across six domains: depression, anxiety, irritability, attention, hyperactivity, and obsessions/compulsions. (Cost, 2022).  American Psychological Association reports of the significant mental health consequences of the pandemic on children and adolescents. (Shoshani/Kor, 2022). Statistics Canada states 64% of youth reported the pandemic harmed their mental health. (Singh, 2022). 

 

Multiple research studies on nature’s positive effects on people’s mental health could be the resounding factor to help reverse people’s negative mental health from the pandemic.  The University of California Davis Health Centre reports, “Nature can help decrease your anxiety levels and can help lessen stress and feelings of anger…As well Nature can provide a mental break by allowing us to temporarily escape the demands of everyday life. It can also boost your creativity and problem-solving abilities.” (UC Davis Health, 2023).  Mental health professionals are leaning into these findings.  New York Times points to a movement amongst therapists to take their therapy sessions outdoors.  Therapists are discovering, “nature and movement can help clients feel more open, find new perspectives and express their feelings…” (Caron, 2024) Nova Scotia therapist Nick Cardone echoes this movement in what he calls free range therapy.  The research findings of less anxiety, reduced anger, a break, boosting creativity, and problem solving are all beneficial to students’ mental health and thus could have a positive impact on academic success.  

 

​The resurgence in nature's positive effects has led to research shouting about the academic, physical, social, and mental health benefits of learning (and being) outside!  So teaching and learning outside should naturally occur for the most success for students (and teachers). 

 

From the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society: (the link gives more links to more research!)

MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS when in nature

Boosts mental health, decrease feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety

SOCIAL HEALTH BENEFITS when in nature

Develops social skills and confidence, teaches healthy risk-taking behaviour and boosts confidence in their decision making, creativity, and resilience.

PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS when in nature

Improve flexibility, strengths lungs and hearts, develops strong bones.

ACADEMIC BENEFITS when in nature (not from Cdn. Parks and Wilderness)

While being an educator outdoors you will be teaching from your curriculum thus the academic is there and nature actually provides a boost in the academics, please see Children & Nature Network's info graphic below for these benefits.  

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Life Long Benefits

Being in nature when one is young creates habits lasting into adulthood.  When youth are taught something in their early years, it’s easier to form healthy and long-lasting habits around that topic than to start in adulthood.  The David Suzuki Foundation echoes these benefits to being in nature.  The Foundation offers a free Suzuki Superhero Challenge program for your students.  There are four challenges designed as lesson plans with limited materials needed so this program might be a good starting point into this exciting pedagogy.

 

BENEFITS FOR YOU TOO!

You will enjoy the same mental, social, and physical health benefits of the students!  After all you are human, just like your students!  From The David Suzuki Foundation, “And research has shown time and again that nature makes humans happier, less irritable, and more creative and generous. Teaching is stressful work, and nature provides a powerful stress buffer.”  Please see full article here and with citation in Resources.    

 

The Outdoor Classroom Day site offers links to two reports supporting the benefits of outdoors education.  

​Muddy Hand Report

Project Dirt 

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The Nova Scotia ASK program adds physical benefits to lessons.  Please watch The NS ASK Project: An Introduction to Physically Active Learning in Secondary Schools.  You'll hear students excited to be active while learning.  

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Please visit the tab Resources for links to more articles on the benefits.  And please visit the Indigenous tab for learning on the Medicine Wheel which speaks to all of these benefits.  

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Below are infographics from Children & Nature Network. Link to their Research Library is here.  This site was envisioned by Richard Louv author of Last Child in the Woods, Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.