In this report, Kevin J. Cole of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) summarizes the available studies on the role of outdoor learning programs and outdoor play time in furthering children's overall education: improving their lifelong learning skills, prospects for career success and school test scores.
American parents, educators and school administrators are faced with an unprecedented new educational challenge that is so broad, subtle and pervasive, that it is nearly invisible. They must wake up to the cold reality that American children are now spending an average of seven hours and 38 minutes per day (53 hours per week) indoors, using electronic media such as television and video games. Regular outdoor
time, especially time in natural surroundings, has become just minutes per day and is verging on becoming a thing of the past.
This "indoor childhood" trend is an immense and unnecessary drain on our children's long term physical, emotional and educational development.
For a copy of the report, go to http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/Media-Center/Reports/Archive/2010/Back-to-School.aspx.
Back to School: Back Outside! How Outdoor Education and Outdoor School Time Create High Performance Students
Posted: September 11, 2019 by MAEE Administration
Category: Sharing Environmental Education Knowledge (SEEK)
In this report, Kevin J. Cole of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) summarizes the available studies on the role of outdoor learning programs and outdoor play time in furthering children's overall education: improving their lifelong learning skills, prospects for career success and school test scores.
American parents, educators and school administrators are faced with an unprecedented new educational challenge that is so broad, subtle and pervasive, that it is nearly invisible. They must wake up to the cold reality that American children are now spending an average of seven hours and 38 minutes per day (53 hours per week) indoors, using electronic media such as television and video games. Regular outdoor
time, especially time in natural surroundings, has become just minutes per day and is verging on becoming a thing of the past.
This "indoor childhood" trend is an immense and unnecessary drain on our children's long term physical, emotional and educational development.
For a copy of the report, go to http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/Media-Center/Reports/Archive/2010/Back-to-School.aspx.