Page 10 - Outdoor Living October 2025
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LIFESTYLE
THE GARDEN AS A
CLASSROOM:
Outdoor learning for children
Every garden is more than a patch of lawn — it’s a living classroom.
hildren don’t remember Why Learning Outdoors Matters
worksheets or formal lessons Research shows that children learn more deeply when experiences engage their
Cthe way they remember bodies and senses. In outdoor spaces, curiosity is ignited by texture, smell, sound,
climbing a tree, planting a seed, and movement — the rustle of leaves, the crunch of soil, the smell of lavender,
or building a fort from sticks. The the sight of a butterfly. These sensory experiences stimulate neural pathways
backyard is a laboratory where that support attention, creativity, and memory.
science, creativity, and resilience
unfold naturally. In an age when Psychologists call this experiential learning. A child who plants a tomato doesn’t
education is often confined to just learn about biology; they learn patience, responsibility, and reward. A child
screens and structured schedules, who builds a den learns problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience. Studies
the simple act of stepping outside confirm that outdoor play improves concentration, reduces anxiety, and even
can spark the kind of learning that strengthens academic outcomes — showing that a garden is as powerful as any
lasts a lifetime. classroom.
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