Outdoor activities are integral part of the Primary Years Programme in International School Maximilian. Spending time outside to #play and #explore is not only good for the physical health of the children, but for their mental health too.
Embodied learning is when movement or physical activity promotes intellectual growth. When children engage in outdoor activities they explore and interact with the outside world. They engage with their environments, contact with external reality and learn through touch. On one hand, this fuels their curiosity and interest to learn more. On the other hand this significantly impacts how children learn directives, acquire abstract ideas and make sense of the world. Therefore, outdoor activities directly support children’s brain development.
An undeniable element of outdoor play is the appreciation for nature it nurtures in children. Studies have shown feeling connected to nature to promote holistic, creative and innovative thinking. When encountered with a challenge in nature, even as simple as climbing a rock, it doesn’t just prompt you to overcome the problem. It also makes you understand the environment and how it works. This is key to helping children understand the importance of protecting the nature.
Outdoor activities allow children to enjoy fresh air, sunlight and the beauty of the world around them. They engage in more social interactions which develops empathy, collaboration and cultural competence. Moreover, playing in the sun is fun and makes us happy. Thus, outdoor activities also lead to a decrease in anxiety, depression and hyperactivity among children.
