The benefits of studying outdoors: School Daze with Talya Lippman

Starting from a young age, we have a tendency to explore our surroundings.

Most of our childhood was spent outside — climbing trees, finding bugs under rocks, and occasionally playing with a friend, were all part of our daily routine.

Coincidentally, all this time we spent outside as children actually positively affected our brains, bodies, and overall character as humans. There is a sufficient amount of research behind the concept that exposure to nature has several long-term benefits. Playing outdoors enriches children’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development. Through nature being a child’s playground, which is inherently a constantly changing and expansive environment, all their senses are automatically stimulated.

Unfortunately, constant playing, or simply just experiencing the outdoors seems to end at the start of high school. Whether it was self-induced or from a lack of time, as a high school student I find that I rarely go outside. The most I am outside on an average week is walking to my bus in the morning. The advantages of nature do not suddenly stop when we reach a certain age, and will never cease to exist.

Moving the learning out of an enclosed four wall classroom would greatly merit students and teachers. The natural world is a huge, unrestricted environment of free education. For many teachers, it is common knowledge that without consistent engagement, their students will not be able to retain anything that they teach. By learning outdoors, it not only adds fun to the learning, but also helps students focus on what they are being taught.

Another benefit to note of outdoor classrooms is the effect on students health. Early in the 20th century, tuberculosis spread rapidly and was particularly fatal among children attending school. Two doctors from Rhode Island proposed the notion of an outdoor classroom to mitigate transmission. In 1908, they opened their first school in Providence, and by the end of the year, not a single student had been ill. By implementing this doctor’s advice, which still applies to today, using outdoor classrooms can significantly reduce widespread diseases among students.

Spending time in the green outdoors can also benefit your mental wellbeing. Through incorporating nature into the learning experience, students’ moods can improve, feelings of stress can be reduced, and participation can be amplified. All in all, it is vital to once again encourage teachers and school districts to look beyond the classroom walls and integrate nature.

Talya Lippman is a student contributor for the Bellmore and Merrick Heralds.