September: Facebook Cover Photo Contest "Outdoor Learning"
Here are our September Facebook cover photo winners! This month's theme was "Outdoor Learning!" Whether it's from a book or straight from nature, schooling outdoors has so many incredible benefits!
Here are a few key benefits:
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School performance increases when children learn outdoors
A number of studies have documented increased school performance through
outdoor education. Research has document increased standardized test scores,
enhanced attitude about school, improved in-school behavior, improved attendance
and overall enhanced student achievement when students learn in and about nature.
In addition, outdoor education effectively employs a greater range of children's
intelligence. Many researchers contribute the increase in performance to increased
relevance and hands-on experience of learning outdoors.
Learning outdoors is healthy
Learning outdoors is active and increases students' physical, mental and social health.
Some studies have even shown follow-up (e.g., non-school) physical activity increases
with outdoor learning. Access to nature has also been shown to decrease the
symptoms of ADHD. Outdoor learning and access to nature also decrease stress levels
of students and teachers
Learning outdoors supports child development
Children greatly benefit developmentally from being outdoors. Outdoor education
and play support emotional, behavioral and intellectual development. Studies have
shown that students who learn outdoors develop: a sense of self, independence,
confidence, creativity, decision-making and problem-solving skills, empathy towards
others, motor skills, self-discipline and initiative.