Photo by Maxime Bhm on Unsplash
Everyone intuitively seems to know that getting outside helps boost their mood, especially in the good weather. But recent studies have shown that spending time outdoors can have extremely powerful and transformative effects on children’s cognitive function and mental health. It also encourages social-emotional learning, something that students with learning disabilities tend to struggle with, especially those with autism and ADHD.
Outdoor education offers a unique and enriching learning experience that complements traditional academic instruction, particularly for students with learning disabilities. Immersion in nature provides a multisensory environment that stimulates curiosity, creativity, and exploration, which is often particularly helpful for neurodivergent students.
Getting Outside is Important!
Since 2020, an increasing number of studies have focused on the benefits of immersive outdoor education. With an epidemic of screen time distracting children and limiting their executive function abilities, this is an area of research that is very significant. While technology has been a positive thing for many students with learning disabilities, it has also negatively impacted their attention spans.
On the other hand, getting outside and away from screens can be a liberating experience for students who struggle to focus, such as those with ADD symptoms. Outdoor education offers a respite from the structured confines of the classroom, providing opportunities for hands-on learning that students with learning disabilities profoundly benefit from.
Health Benefits to Outdoor Education
Spending time outdoors has been shown to have numerous physical and mental health benefits, which are especially important for students facing learning challenges. Outdoor activities promote physical fitness, sensory integration, and motor coordination, contributing to overall physical well-being and reducing stress and anxiety.
The outdoor environment also offers a sense of freedom and autonomy for students with learning disabilities, allowing them to explore and engage with their surroundings in a novel way. Through collaborative outdoor activities, such as team sports, cooperative games, and group projects, students learn valuable communication skills, empathy, and cooperation, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
At special education schools like our own, we embrace outdoor education—Michigan weather permitting–as an integral component of our student-centered approach. We are taking significant steps to integrate outdoor learning into our constantly evolving curriculum, and welcome the opportunity to invite your child into our community of eager learners and compassionate educators.
