The research behind outdoor play and learning

An accessible overview of research on how being outdoors affects children’s physical development, learning and self-regulation, summarising what we know for sure from existing research, and what we don’t yet have enough evidence for. This session will explore how these research findings can be applied to practice in the early years and will encourage a critical approach to using research literature.

Key takeaways:

• Idleness is not rest – how nature supports ‘restful wake for the brain’ and why this is important

• All types of outdoor time can be beneficial, you do not need to subscribe to a particular approach (e.g. forest school)

• Being outside can support self-regulation of attention and behaviour

• Natural environments offer unique benefits which other outdoor environments do not – the importance of natural materials and landscapes (physical development, gut microbiota, open ended play)

£20.00 (+VAT)

Gemma Goldenberg, PhD researcher, University of East London