While in modern times we see screens dominating a child’s daily life, nature is still an important part of everyday life. Schools have a great opportunity and responsibility to keep that connection with nature alive by transforming outdoor areas into extraordinary learning environments. Creating these well-designed outdoor areas for children encourages their growth, well-being, exploration, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world we live in.
The question is, but how do we achieve this? We have put together the following blog to explore how schools can enhance their outdoor space to promote children’s well-being with powerful learning and play opportunities, and the importance of a school canopy.
Why Learning Outdoors is Important
Creating a connection to Mother Nature is proven to improve children’s mental and physical health, enhance their concentration, and boost academic performance. There are statistics to prove it, and Ofsted states that children should have the opportunity to get outdoors and take part in active play.
Providing the class with nature-based learning encourages the children to problem solve, use their creativity skills, and interact with one another, promoting teamwork. Outdoor learning environments also promote mindfulness, reduce stress, and create a stronger sense of responsibility as the children explore the world around them.
How to Create Different Outdoor Learning Zones
You might think that the outdoors is just a playground, but they are more than that. If you divide them into thoughtful zones, an outdoor classroom can serve multiple purposes.
Natural Play Zones
Using natural materials such as logs, rocks, sand pits, and mud kitchens allows the children to engage with their natural surroundings. This type of play is open-ended and can promote their imaginative play.
Vegetable Patches & Flower Gardens
Creating an outdoor garden where children can care for flowers and plants, and harvest fruits and vegetables, teaches biology, nutrition, and responsibility. You will have your very own outdoor scientific living classroom that the children will love to care for.
Cosy Corners
Providing cosy corners for the children to read or draw their favourite feature from the surrounding landscape offers a calm environment and a peaceful escape.
Protected Outdoor Classrooms
Build an outdoor classroom, modelled from indoors with benches, chalkboards, and a canopy structure above. Canopy structures can provide the outdoor classroom with shelter and shade all year round, so the class can enjoy the natural habitat in all seasons. Whether it’s a timber frame or an aluminium structure, these sheltered spaces enable outdoor activities regardless of the weather.
Blend Materials with Nature
If you’re creating an outdoor space for learning, opt for natural and sustainable materials to match the aesthetics. This can be anything from timber structures to stone paths and willow tunnels. Choosing recycled elements reduces environmental impact and blends beautifully with the surrounding nature.
Designing outdoor learning spaces with sustainable materials teaches children the value of sustainability through the environment they interact with.
Create Lessons Around Biodiversity
To foster a deeper connection with nature and encourage observation of local wildlife and plant life, consider incorporating birdhouses, insect hotels, and pollinator-friendly plants into your outdoor classroom environment. Children can observe and learn about biodiversity, where the outdoor spaces thrive in the habitats and the science surrounding nature.
Accessible Outdoor Learning Spaces
Outdoor spaces need to be designed and built with accessibility in mind. Let children of all ages and abilities enjoy nature with wide, smooth paths, raised garden beds, and sensory elements like textured surfaces and fragrant plants.
Partner With the Wider Community
Bring in expert knowledge and funding support from the wider community. Involving local parents, volunteers, landscape designers and environmental groups to plan and build an outdoor space ideal for everyone.
Continued reading:
How School Canopies Can Create Outdoor Spaces In All Weathers
How can a Canopy Improve an Early Years Setting?
4 Ways in Protecting Outdoor Equipment on the Playground
Creating Outdoor Spaces this Autumn/Winter with Canopies in School Settings
Setting up an outdoor classroom encourages children from a young age to appreciate the natural world. This can be from engaging learning gardens to weather-ready canopy structures, where nature can be brought into daily education. With such a creative mind, any school can transform its grounds into nurturing, educational landscapes for its pupils where nature becomes an integral part of every child’s learning journey. It shapes a healthier and happier outdoor environment.
Contact Protect Canopies today to create an outdoor space that nurtures the outdoors. Our well-designed outdoor school canopies can transform these nature-inspired spaces into multi-functional areas for everyone to enjoy, come rain or shine.
