A new poll shows that people believe children do not spend enough time enjoying the natural world and that they should spend more of their school time learning outdoors in nature.
It has been widely proven that regular contact with nature makes children healthier, happier, and better able to learn. The poll, commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts, surveyed 1,000 adults, and reveals:
- 75% believe children do not spend enough time outdoors enjoying the natural world
- 72% believe that in school, children should spend more time learning and playing outside in a natural setting
- 75% believe that school grounds should become greener, wilder places so that all children can experience nature first-hand
- 76% believe that learning outside enables children to understand and experience things that cannot be taught in a classroom
The findings from the poll of adults are echoed by young people involved in Our Bright Future, a £33 million programme led by The Wildlife Trusts and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Young people on the programme were asked: ‘If you could change one thing for you and the environment, what would this be?’. One of the top three requests was for more outdoor education and more learning about nature. Our Bright Future supports learning in and about nature across the curriculum, for all ages and throughout all subjects.
Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, says:
“Young people are on the frontline of the climate crisis, and it is no surprise that they want to learn as much as possible about nature in order to tackle the damaged world they are inheriting. To build climate thinkers of the future we must first teach them about nature.
“But as well as learning about nature, we also know that learning in natural, wild places is extremely beneficial. As well as boosting academic learning, young people’s physical and mental health can all be improved by a strong connection to nature.”
Following the disruption and isolation suffered by many young people as a result of the pandemic, the Our Bright Future programme believes outdoor learning can play a vital role in improving the mental wellbeing of young people, as well as improving their academic outcomes. A study commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts found that children’s wellbeing increased after spending time in nature.
Laura Harvey, Outdoor Learning Manager at Essex Wildlife Trust adds:
"The outdoors is the natural habitat of a child. It is here that they experience total freedom to play, explore and thrive. There are no goals in nature, other than those set by the child themselves and the tactile experiences literally ground children and give them a safety valve to help them deal with the pressures of everyday life. Activities such as watching a bee or climbing a tree are full-on holistic experiences that can make a child feel on top of the world and at Essex Wildlife Trust we provide a whole suite of activities from pond dipping to a whole Forest School day or a beach combing session for children to play, learn and explore the natural world."
The Wildlife Trusts are asking people to support more outdoor learning here.
