Research has found that enjoying time outdoors results in more than relaxation. The wonders found in nature capture our attention in unexpected ways. This "involuntary attention" caused by spending time outdoors has shown benefits to our brains. "Involuntary attention" happens when our focus is shifted to something to which we don't purposefully pay attention. Close your eyes and imagine the gentle breeze off of the water, the smell of flowers in the spring or the feeling of wet sand on your feet. These are examples of nature's gift of "involuntary attention".
When our brains spend time in "involuntary attention", it is giving our voluntary attention a well deserved rest. Voluntary attention is needed to focus on activities such as thinking about a math problem or writing the letters of the alphabet; important concepts that are practiced during school hours. This rest provided by outdoor play has proved beneficial to indoor learning too.
While this research isn't new, it's implications become more important as learning expectations continue to be pushed down into earlier grades. Developmentally inappropriate expectations result in less time spent on the "non-academic" or "non-essential" parts of the day. Keeping the research in mind, we have provided for daily routines which include:
- Outdoor periods of the routine consisting of at least 30 minutes that happen twice throughout a full day. Children are free to make choices how they spend time outdoors and often initiate their own play.
- Integrating the outdoors into our explorations. We consider the outdoors an extension of our classrooms and provide children with opportunities to learn in nature.
- Long-term projects that focus on nature. Following the interests of children often lead us outdoors to explore and experiment. We take advantage of their interests to embed curriculum and to venture into nature.
The benefits of nature extend to brains of all ages. I'll meet you outside!
