Playing and learning in the fresh air reaps rewards for children, writes Ben Beardmore-Gray, Headmaster at Moulsford Prep School, Oxford
HRH The Duchess of Cambridge recently created a ?Back to Nature Garden? at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The aim of the garden was to highlight the benefits that the natural world brings to mental and physical wellbeing and to encourage more children to get outdoors. The Duchess of Cambridge said spending time outdoors can help children grow up to become ?happy, healthy adults?.
At Moulsford Prep School, we echo this view and place enormous value on our boys being able to spend as much time outside and in the fresh air as possible, both at work and at play.
We are fortunate to have plenty of outside space and we encourage staff to use it at every opportunity. However, you don?t need access to acres and, really, any outside space can allow exploration and creativity. Children don?t always learn best in a classroom environment and offering practical and outdoor learning can help keep them stimulated and physically active while learning. Whether that?s heading outside for drama or simply sitting under a tree to read a book, children can absorb so much more when they are in an environment that helps them to relax and feel comfortable.
Learning outside can provide children with more opportunities for self-development. At Moulsford, Forest School is an incredibly important and valued part of pre-prep life and the space, time and surroundings enab...