Valentines day is this week. The day of celebrating love. There is no doubt, our wee team love the outdoors. So join us as we share what we love about the outdoors and maybe inspire you to get out!
Calming and Focusing
We know the outdoors can calm and soothe a busy mind and it works for young and old alike. There is a reason that doctors can prescribe it! I love how heading outdoors, even for a short walk, can calm my mind and help me focus.
For children, 20minutes outdoors prior to sitting a test is shown to improve their test results! Surely, if there a simple way to help kids focus is worth using.
For adults, time outdoors can increase productivity when you are back in. Many of the world’s most successful people, in a range of sectors, swear by a walk at lunch time. It clears the mind, gives them their best ideas and helps them focus when back at work.
Fun
I love being outdoors as it is fun. Whether that is enjoying sports like skiing or stand up paddle boarding or sitting and creating arts and crafts, I enjoy it.
We have watched many a time as an adult gets fully absorbed in our sessions, whether that is listening to our stories, building dens or on a scavenger hunt. At heart, we are all big kids and there is something about being outdoors that lets this side of us come out. Play is a form of learning, even Einstein knew that, so we all need to give ourselves permission to have some fun.
Beauty
Now, I freely admit I am very lucky. I live in Scotland which is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. We have lochs and rivers, beaches and mountains, forest and history all on our doorstep. It is beautiful, charming, quaint and we all need a little beauty in our lives.
I love heading out with the camera to see what I can capture, whether that is huge landscape photos or paying attention to the tiny details and beauty around me. I love taking time to appreciate it all.
Coorie
I am writing this on a snowy day in early February. It is the type of cold that will slowly seep in, it’ll give you a red nose and rosy cheeks. When you head back indoors your fingers will tingle as they warm up, a bath is a real indulgence and a hot chocolate is a form of bliss.
We can enjoy all these things any time of year, but there is something very special about them in winter, when you head out for a stomp and explore and then get home and coorie right in. I love it!
Togetherness
There is a real sense of togetherness when you spend time outdoors with someone. It has helped the schools and families we would with feel like family. It allows my husband and I time to reconnect in amongst the business of life. When you are on the slopes, water or woods it is simple manners to stop and say hello and sometimes pass the time of day briefly.
Nature helps bring people together in a way being indoors just cannot. I love this!
Love Outdoor Learning offer a range of support for curriculum based outdoor learning within the school, both in primary and secondary. Our membership resource offers training and lesson ideas throughout the curriculum and we regularly share blogs with new activity ideas and thoughts on outdoor learning. We can also offer on-site training and support.
Our aim is to help support as many educators as possible. We offer free support calls to help schools understand how we can support them in their learning journey. If you wish to book one just jump over to our diary.
