Learning outdoors at Plantpots

There is overwhelming evidence that getting kids outdoors provides the best possible start in life and we are proud to foster this at Plantpots Jesmond.

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Studies demonstrate that children now know less about the natural world than ever before in the history of humankind. According to the National Trust, fewer than one in ten children regularly play in wild places compared to almost half a generation ago, a third have never climbed a tree, and one in 10 can’t ride a bike. Our increasingly indoor and sedentary lifestyles are leading to distressing physical and mental symptoms, including obesity (linked to low overall fitness levels), behavioural problems, stress and a lack of awareness of nature and its benefits.

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Fortunately, increasing outdoor time for children is the simplest way to tackle these problems and a forest education offers a range of proven health and wellbeing benefits.

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At Plantpots we are all about getting children outside and scientific evidence suggests that this is one of the best ways to address the inactivity that leads to obesity and other related health issues. Studies have shown that children have higher physical activity levels in green spaces compared to non-green spaces and that children who spend more time outdoors have better motor skills and fitness, especially balance and coordination.

 

Being outside more also helps to prevent myopia (nearsightedness) in children. Playing outside for prolonged periods has been shown to have a positive impact on children's development, particularly in the areas of balance and agility, but also manual dexterity, physical coordination, tactile sensitivity, and depth perception.

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According to these studies, children who attend forest school, experience fewer injuries due to accidents. A child's ability to assess risks also improves. Playing outdoors strengthens the immune systems of both children and staff.

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