Go Ahead, Get the Kids Outside

Throughout the United States education is facing a great challenge: how to systematically get kids outside for learning. This challenge is resurfacing after a few decades of being somewhat dormant with a strong new evidence base behind outdoor learning. The benefits have been clear for a while now. The question is: are we finally going to make it happen?

In 2017, a national study found that children under the age of 18 see many benefits to being outside. Interestingly, one of the most oft cited was the increased ability to think up new ideas. At a time when we need our students to develop curiosity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills it might just be time to take notice of the benefits of learning outside. Today’s leaders find that children are saying loud and clear, they need both permission and opportunities to get out there and learn.

For a while now we have taken the approach that it is totally okay for our kids to be inside. But its time to change that mindset, especially in our schools.

Today, our national average of outdoor time for kids is 12–15 minutes per day. Couple that with the fact that our preschool aged children are lucky if they get one outdoor experience per day, and we have a situation. A situation that isn’t pretty but none the less has boundless solutions.