In the last newsletter, I discussed mental health concerns for our students on the spectrum and provided free resources to support efforts in fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth in our school communities. An additional simple, yet effective, way to further boost mental wellbeing is by getting outside!
With the more flexible schedule of ESY (Extended School Year), we have a great opportunity to not only play and relax outside, but to also learn in the great outdoors!
Outdoor Learning: Mental Health Benefits and Activity Ideas
3 Major Benefits for All:
- Being in nature boosts motor-sensory input, emotional regulation, and social inclusion (Afaily-Zadeh, 2023).
- Regular outdoor access reduces depression and improves concentration (USDavis Health, 2023).
- Being in green spaces leads to more physical activity, longer life spans, and less mental distress (USDA, 2018).
The research in this area is wide-reaching and all boils down to a similar call to action: let’s get outside more!
4 Outdoor Activities Connected to Standards:
1. Obstacle Courses
Using materials already in the gym storage, create outdoor courses that build gross motor skills, direction sense, and following instructions. Courses can offer social skill and teamwork opportunities such as having Partner 1 sitting criss-cross on a scooter board holding one end of a hula hoop while Partner 2 holds the other end of the hula hoop to guide Partner 1 around cones.
Sections of the course can also infuse academics. For example, lay out numbers on the sidewalk using chalk or on paper attached to cones. When students get to this portion of the course, they have to solve a math problem and toss a beanbag or jump to the correct answer in order to proceed.
2. Scavenger Hunts
Students can search outside for a particular color, shape, letter, word, number, plant, etc. They can also look for items related to particular concepts such as identifying living vs. non-living things.
Infuse reading comprehension by using riddle based scavenger hunts for students to read and then solve.
For Instance:
- I have five rings but no fingers.
- If you let go of me, you will fall.
- I wish you would go up me and not the slide!
- What am I?
3. Map It
The new school year may bring new students! Have students develop a map of the school grounds to help new students get around. Expand on those geography standards, such as creating and comparing maps, by having students then trade maps with each other and see if they can use the map to get around the property without running into a structure.
Perhaps said maps then become treasure maps wherein the map maker hides a particular item on the property that their peers must discover using only markings/indications on the map.
4. Science Exploration
- Living Systems and Ecosystems: Research habitat types then use outdoor materials to create a habitat. What animal would live there? Why? How might the created habitat help an animal to survive?
- Earth/Space Systems and Resources: Learn about protecting and conserving Earth’s environment and have students determine a call to action such as a playground clean up endeavor.
- Force, Motion, Energy, and Matter: Create a “race track” outside by having a starting line and marking 1-foot increments using either chalk or cones. Students can take turns setting toy cars in motion by pushing/applying a force to their car to see how many feet it will go.
- Math opportunity- graph the distance!
- Students can also record their observations with each try… Did the size and shape of the car have an impact? Did students have more or less energy on the 1st go versus the 5th? If you don’t touch the car at all, does it still move? Now if a ramp is added to the start line, what happens? Why?
- No cars? No problem! Use a ball instead.
Reality Check: Safety Concerns
3 Common Outdoor Safety Concerns:
- Overstimulating Environments: Some outdoor spaces can be overwhelming and associated with a behavior of concern.
- Physical Accessibility: Certain spaces can be difficult to access physically.
- Unclear Safety Boundaries: Ambiguous boundaries can raise concerns about students potentially wandering, or running, into dangerous areas.
So What Can We Do?
These are valid concerns! However, these worries can lead us to either stay indoors and/or surrender to that small, fenced-in playground designed for preschoolers, which can feel limiting for everyone involved.
While there are some developmentally appropriate activities that can still be accomplished within such a space, we must consider long-term goals. We aim for students to actively participate, access, and engage in their communities to whatever extent interests them as they grow older. Getting outside and safely exploring beyond the fence line lends to achieving those long-term visions.
Leaving the familiar playground area can be daunting (I’ve been there!), but collaborating with your team to develop scaffolding and supports can make exploring a variety of outdoor spaces safe and beneficial.
With the school property being less crowded during the summer, ESY is a perfect time to work on safety skills and understanding those invisible boundaries. Need help or want to brainstorm with a partner? Email me!
Supporting students in meaningful outdoor experiences can set them up for success as they grow into adulthood. Regular opportunities in nature now, will increase the likelihood they will continue to enjoy and benefit from it later in life. So grab the SPF and head outside!
How Did It Go?
I’d love to know how you and your students enjoyed the outdoors this summer! Please send me a message to share!
References:
- Afaily-Zadeh, J. (2023, June 30). Wellbeing in nature – how being outside can help Autistic People’s Wellbeing. National Autistic Society. https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/wellbeing-in-nature-how-being-outside-can-help-aut
- UC Davis Health. (2023, June 4). 3 ways getting outside into nature helps improve your health. Cultivating Health. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/3-ways-getting-outside-into-nature-helps-improve-your-health/2023/05
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. (2018). Urban nature for human health and well-being: a research summary for communicating the health benefits of urban trees and green space. FS-1096. Washington, DC. 24 p.
