On 10th May Children and Young People Now Magazine published a Special Report on Outdoor Learning, including sections on evidence, policy and a range of case studies.
Here we bring you an extract, will full references, by Jim Burt, Natural England’s Principal Adviser for Outdoor Learning and Outdoors for All.
Outdoor Learning – improving outcomes for our children
Competing pressures mean that opportunities for children and young people to value and enjoy nature and the environment are under threat. Over the past 20 years evidence suggests that the area that children explore and play around their homes has reduced by upto 90% [29]. Last year 1.3 million (12%) children across England never visited the natural environment [25].
These trends are undoubtedly contributing to major challenges facing society today – including the rise in childhood obesity and mental health issues and the struggle to build a sense of place…