Here at The School Playground Company, we know the importance of outdoor classrooms and all the play benefits that come along with them. We have a large range of outdoor classroom play features available on our site. But why not make up your mind on its benefits before you invest in outdoor classrooms? This week’s blog focuses on our top 5 favourite reasons for investing in an outdoor classroom.
1: Mental Health Benefits
It goes without saying that children’s mental health is a huge priority for teachers, parents, and caretakers alike. Keeping children happy and healthy is a huge part of positive development, and an outdoor children’s playground can help contribute to that.
With a safe, secure space like an outdoor classroom, students can enjoy the outdoors, breathe fresh air, switch up their routines, add excitement with a change of scenery, and have space to play freely. Therefore, outdoor Classrooms can bring mental health benefits that you can not ignore!
2: Physical Health Benefits
Rather than sitting in a classroom all day, outdoor classrooms can encourage active learning. Getting children outside and moving the learning space to an outdoor space can encourage more movement and activity, depending on the lesson, activity, and equipment used. The more opportunities children have for movement and physical activity, the better their physical health will be!
3: Keeping Things Interesting
At an age where their brains are rapidly developing, it can be hard to keep children’s attention. By switching up their everyday routine (in this case, indoor learning to outdoor), it provides a welcome break from children’s normal routines. This can help increase concentration and attention span, which will lead to being more alert and involved with the lesson at hand.
4: Developing Essential Skills
There are many key skills that children need to develop early on. Whether this is communication, sharing, or relationship building, outdoor classrooms are a great way of putting children into environments where they can flourish and build up these essential skills.
By moving learning outdoors, children can adapt to a new environment and move outside of their comfort zone. In a designated zone for fun and play alongside their classmates, children can socialist and play. Therefore, in outdoor classrooms, children can develop communication and teamwork skills naturally.
5: Promoting Inclusivity
Children of all abilities must be included in play. Without inclusivity, children with physical or learning disabilities cannot fully participate in lessons and activities to the extent that their able-bodied peers can.
Moving learning outdoors opens up a whole host of play and learning opportunities that can be geared towards inclusivity. It is easy to find a way for children of all abilities to feel equally included when you consider accessibility. Playgrounds should provide extra space for wheelchairs, inclusive playground equipment, and educational sensory equipment.
What Should I Include In My Outdoor Classroom?
At The School Playground Company, we know the value that outdoor classrooms bring. After all, with a wide range of proven benefits, it makes sense that your playground project should be optimised for every child. The School Playground Company offers a selection of unique and interactive outdoor learning environments, designed as spaces that accommodate a fun and different learning experience. Take a look at the products we offer here
Invest in Outdoor Classrooms with TSPC
If you like the look of our products and agree that an outdoor classroom is valuable, we can help you bring your playground project to life! Simply fill out our contact form and we’ll be back in touch ASAP to talk about how we can help.
