Wild British Schools

*a guest post

The education system over here is, I suppose, ok. There’s some good stuff and a few bad points, but overall it’s not too bad. Unfortunately, when I look at what’s going on in schools in the UK, I feel just a little bit of envy. British kids get to do so much cool things outdoors in groups.

Cooped up

In the US, students are asked to stay indoors most of the time. While this is reasonable in winter when it’s too cold to go outside, in spring or fall when it’s a little warmer outside, kids and teachers are left with little opportunity to step out and explore nature. Field trips happen from time to time, but they’re not enough.

Having kids of my own, I know how disappointed they feel whenever they go to class. They come back home relieved after spending hour after hour bored with what they’re being taught. Surely mixing it up a little by going outdoors will make them fall in love with learning?

The British Way

 

I found this infographic online from loving2learn.com, and it spoke to me. Different kids have different learning styles, and trying to cater to all of them is something our schools must do.

After doing some research online, I learned about a charity called the Ernest Cook Trust that helps kids to learn outdoors and indoors at the same time! What they do is go back to a time when we didn’t rely so much on technology to teach important skills.

They take kids on trips to the beautiful British countryside, encourage them to get involved in group activities and learn a skill that will help them through life or if they’re visiting the great outdoors as adults. If you want to visit the British countryside, this National Trust promotional code will help you save a little money on your trip.

This is exactly what I would like to see more of being taught in our schools, but will it ever happen?

Nature deficit

Even kids who live in an inner-city neighbourhood should be able to head out into the country at least once. I thought missing out on getting up close and personal with nature was serious, but after reading this article online, I didn’t realise it would be that serious!

Experiences during childhood can shape a person’s entire life. If they spend almost every single day without leaving the house, they’re likely to do the same when they become adults. Known as “nature deficit disorder”, not doing fun activities outdoors can be harmful for a kid’s development.

Outside, kids can learn a number of skills which will help them throughout their lives. Teamwork from playing sports or building a tree house, resourcefulness from using materials available to build something and skills such as planting seeds are all worth it.

If our schools did more of that, then the kids today will be able to accomplish so much more once they graduate from college and prepare for work and adulthood.

Thanks for the guest post!