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21 Mar 2010
Research shows benefits of outdoor play
Ipsos MORI Teachers Omnibus findings 2008 & 2009
In an Ipsos MORI poll of almost 1,000 teachers carried out Autumn 2009 (the ‘2009 Teachers Omnibus’), questions were included on behalf of the LOtC School Grounds Sector Partnership. A similar study was carried out for Learning through Landscapes (LTL) as part of the Wave 7 (Autumn 2008) Ipsos MORI Teachers Omnibus.
As a result of these two polls it was found that 97% of teachers believe that schools need to use their outside spaces effectively to enhance their pupils' development†, but 82% do not agree that their own school is making as much use as it can of this valuable resource*.
* Taken from 2008 Ipsos MORI Teachers omnibus
† Taken from the 2009 Ipsos MORI Teachers omnibus
A new report entitled 'Nature, Childhood, Health and Life Pathways' has been produced by the University of Essex and reviews recent research and other statistical evidence proving the benefits of physical exercise in nature in improving health and wellbeing:
"Some of the substantial mental health challenges facing society and physical challenges arising from modern diets and sedentary lifestyles could be addressed by increasing physical activity in natural places. If children are encouraged to and enabled to undertake more green exercise then they are likely to have active exposure to nature embedded in their lifestyle as adults and will reap the associated health benefits"
Recommendations include:
- Encourage schools to incoporate use of gardens, allotments and woodlands as a regular part of the curriculum
- Evaluate the outcomes of outdoor play and green education on the cognitive capacities of children and their long term health.
Download the report here:
http://www.essex.ac.uk/ces/occasionalpapers/Nature%20Childhood%20and%20Health%20iCES%20Occ%20Paper%202009-2%20FINAL.pdf
New research has shown that learning in the outdoors improves concentration. Kathleen Bagot, who has recently completed her PhD at Monash University in Melbourne says "Evidence shoes that if children are surrounded with lots of natural elements and grassy spaces, they will be able to refresh... more efficiently and effectively and improve their strength much quicker than children who stayed inside". Her 5 year study examined 500 children from across Melbourne, comparing the motor co-ordination, strength, mathmatical ability and flexibility of children who played in forest-like environments compared to those who played in asphalt ones. "The results were clear that children who had contact with nature and green play worked better in the classroom and had higher levels of flexibility and strength".
Reported in Sydney Morning Herald:
http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/learning-comes-naturally-for-some-20100123-mrnw.html
The importance of these can be seen with another recent piece of research - carried out by Simon Pearce, Professor of Endocrinology at Newcastle University. It highlights an increase of cases in rickets in the UK and gives various reasons for a lack of Vitamin D in many adults and children.
In a Press Release one of the authors is quoted as saying "Kids tend to stay indoors more these days and play on their computers instead of enjoying the fresh air. These means that their Vitamin D levels are worse that in previous years" - highlighting yet another reason to ensure pupils have regular access to the outdoors.
Read the full article here:
http://eprint.ncl.ac.uk/file_store/production/153995/2D46F31E-E0A8-410C-83B2-343ED47373E7.pdf
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