‘In terms of their wellbeing, self-esteem and resilience, it has massive benefits' - the nursery group embracing the outdoors as a learning tool
manchestereveningnews.co.ukSome of our fondest childhood memories take place in the great outdoors. From days out with the family to the coast, to making dens and climbing trees with friends, anything that involved getting wet and muddy often stands out as a happy moment in our formative years.
In the contemporary world, this special time to connect with nature is sadly shrinking for many children; a 2020 survey found that on average children can spend between four to six hours a day watching or using screens, rising to nine hours for teenagers.
The Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health interviewed 109 children for a study, and 88 per cent of them reported that screen time had a negative impact on their sleep, with a further 35 per cent saying that it affected their mood or mental health negatively.
While screen time in this age is unavoidable, counteracting that with valuable outdoor time can be an enriching experience that helps explore otherwise underused skills.
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