How to Take Learning Outdoors and Improve Mental Health

Outdoor learning saved me from teacher burnout. I have been teaching happily for 15 years, however, I almost quit within the first 5 years. The reason why I almost quit was simple (although it took me a while to figure it out.) My classroom was causing me stress. It wasn’t the kids in the classroom, but the classroom itself that was draining me. I had put a great deal of effort into creating a classroom that I loved. However, even in this curated space, I simply couldn’t handle being in the same room all day. By the end of the school day, I was just done.

I wondered, “If I feel this drained and brain-dead at the end of the day…how do my 7-year-old students feel?” We all needed to get out! This was one of those lightbulb moments that led me to discover the joys, benefits, and challenges of outdoor learning. 

Learning outdoors is a game-changer. Through outdoor learning, you can cover your curriculum while also allowing your students to experience the many benefits of spending time outdoors. Your students get to move more, communicate more, problem-solve together, and grow in a more holistic way simply by getting outside.

As your students begin to spend more time outdoors, you will notice both subtle and more obvious shifts in focus, attitude, and how they relate to each other. You will also be doing your part to create students who care for the Earth and therefore want to protect and steward it. 

What Does “Outdoor Learning” Mean?

Outdoor learning can take many different forms. Depending on your grade level or subject, learning outdoors could be anything from unstructured play in a natural setting (different from recess) to a formal scientific study to anything in between. Simply taking an indoor activity outside could be considered outdoor learning. However, no matter how you choose to take your students outdoors, the objective should be finding ways to connect with nature.

Connecting with nature means creating opportunities for your students to see themselves as a part of nature. This means that we are not consuming nature or taking items from nature, but understanding how we fit in with nature or creation. Activities that guide students to look closely, use their senses, and truly experience the cycles of nature all help our students to understand their relationship to nature.

Additionally, you don’t need to be an expert naturalist or know every bird on the playground to take your students outside. In fact, demonstrating to your students that you are not an expert, but still love getting outside, shows them that spending time in nature is accessible to everyone. You can learn alongside your students and model curiosity and wonder.

Benefits of Learning OUtdoors

Research on the benefits of learning outdoors and spending time in nature continues to grow. Nature is simply amazing at helping our students to develop. Many of the skills we try to teach our students through structured indoor classroom activities come naturally through outdoor learning activities. Nature really does nurture the whole child! 

Physical Benefits: As your students (and yourself) explore outdoors, the uneven terrain and opportunities for movement allow our students to develop their gross motor skills, balance and core strength. Additionally, the increased opportunities to move throughout the learning space help to develop students' endurance and stamina. Picking up small or delicate items can also help our students develop their fine motor skills and dexterity.

Mental Health Benefits: Outdoor learning provides a mental break for our students from the indoor classroom setting. Somehow nature just knows how to provide the right amount of stimulation for all of our students. Additionally, the time spent outdoors will help our students to have better focus once they return to the indoor classroom setting. As a bonus, spending time in nature has been shown to help people relax and reduce anxiety. 

Social/Emotional Benefits: You would be amazed at how learning outdoors can help students develop their sense of self. Nature provides opportunities for students to build connections with each other as well as work together to solve problems in meaningful ways. Students also naturally communicate more and in different ways in nature than they do in the classroom. As students overcome challenges outdoors, their confidence and resilience naturally increase. 

Easy Ways to Get Outside

Experiencing the many benefits of outdoor learning can be simple. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be “outdoorsy,” you can still find ways to get outside. If outdoor learning is something that is entirely new to you, start small with a single activity or lesson. You don’t need to start with an epic adventure. Simply finding ways for your students to connect with nature in a meaningful way is a great place to start. 

1. Take your reading outside. Find a comfy place and either take a read-aloud story or let your students take their independent reading books outside. 
2. Do a scavenger hunt or another activity that lets kids look closely and get to know their outdoor space in a more meaningful way. 
3. Use magnifying glasses to study the plants or insects in your learning space.
4. Try an outdoor writing activity. Start with a writing prompt or make a nature journal. Outdoor writing is a great way to let nature inspire your students' creativity.
5. Find a game that ties to your curriculum to play outside. There are so many games and resources available to allow you to tie your science curriculum to active, outdoor games.
6. Go for a walk in your community. I love doing this with my students. It allows them to get to know the services and people in their community and helps them to feel like they belong to the community.

Tips for Getting Started with Outdoor Learning

Getting started with outdoor learning can be a bit daunting. However, the extra effort is worth all of the benefits for both you and your students. Remember, start small and grow. If you are looking for more support as well as templates, sample letters, and worksheets to help you dive deep into learning outdoors you can check out the free “Get Outside Tool Kit.”

Here is a quick list of things to think about before you start taking your students outdoors. 

Safety First- Be Prepared: 

One of the biggest barriers to getting kids outside is the perception that being outside is “unsafe.” There are risks to taking students outdoors, however with a bit of preparation, you can mitigate some of these risks.

Some things you might want to prepare are:

• Seek permission from your administration.
• Check your site for any potential hazards. 
• Prepare your “teacher bag” with a first aid kit, class roster, and your teaching materials.
• Get to know your site. Find out “who lives there” and explore the space.

Inform Families:

You will also need to inform families of your intention to spend time outside on a regular basis. A letter/email outlining your plans is great. You will also likely have to give them several reminders.  If you require weather-appropriate clothing (for example winter clothing or rain gear), families will need to know well in advance.

Start Small:

You don’t need to start with an epic adventure with your students. Like anything new, your students will need time to ease their way into outdoor learning. This is especially true if their only outdoor experiences at school have been recess. Find simple ways to get outside for short periods of time and then build upon that.

Have a Plan:

In addition to your lesson plans, you will want to have a plan in place for some of the following circumstances:

• Marking boundaries
• Getting student's attention (especially if students will be spread out)
• What to do in case of an emergency
• How you will deal with any classroom management challenges that arise

Take Time to Reflect:

Taking learning outdoors can be a huge learning curve. Take time to reflect after your lessons and figure out what went well. If there were challenges, what could you do differently next time? If an activity didn’t go as planned, don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember, outdoor learning is something new for your students too. Even if your first lesson wasn’t a success, try again!

Now It’s Time To Get Outside

The benefits of learning outdoors are amazing. Nature and the outdoors provide the perfect setting for our students to grow and thrive. The added bonus is that not only will your students be able to experience these many benefits, but you as the teacher will, too. Outdoor learning saved me from teacher burnout and helped me to reshape my teaching career into something that I loved.

You don’t need to be an outdoor expert, you simply need to demonstrate curiosity and wonder in creation. By starting small, you can create meaningful outdoor learning experiences even with simple activities. Aim for fun and engaging activities that will help your students to feel comfortable outdoors. Eventually, these activities will turn into routines and rituals that your students will love and look forward to. 

Take some time this school year to work outdoor learning into your lesson and unit plans. Give both your students and yourself the gift of being nurtured by nature. Additionally, you can take pride in knowing that you are helping to create a generation of students who are developing a connection to the Earth. It is only through developing this connection to nature that students will feel compelled to love and protect it.