What's it all about?
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN IN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM DAY
When teachers take learning outdoors they report some powerful impacts: Children’s behaviour improves, whole classes are excited to learn, and individuals who feel inhibited by the curriculum often thrive in an outdoor environment. When adults think back to their own happiest memories of childhood, they frequently recall the joy of playing outdoors. Play is not only central to children’s enjoyment of childhood, but teaches critical life skills such as problem-solving, teamwork and creativity.
In response to the coronavirus crisis, the movement looks a bit different. After consultation with our global community, our priorities will be to share ideas about connecting to nature, bring people together to celebrate the outdoors, and help parents and teachers to connect with others from around the world.
Sign up to be part of Outdoor Classroom Day today!
“Globally, 64 per cent of parents believe their child has less opportunities to play than they did as a child.”Edelman Berland for Unilever
PREPARE TO BE AMAZED!
Lessons learnt outdoors, whether maths, science or language, often stay with us for life. Being outdoors helps children focus, boosts creativity and imagination, and can simply be more fun.
Children who have the freedom to play today — making friends, getting lost in the moment, having fun — are better prepared for whatever tomorrow throws at them. Playing helps children build friendships, test their own boundaries and solve their own problems. It’s central to a child’s development and their enjoyment of childhood.
Benefits Include
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1.
Enhanced
Social Skills -
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Enhanced
Problem Solving -
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Team Working
Skills -
4.
Seriously
Fun & addictive!
The Campaign's History
In 2011, at the launch of Tim Gill’s Sowing the Seeds report, a group of educators and environmentalists discussed how schools in particular could address the issues that stop children getting outdoors. Their solution was a new campaign they called Empty Classroom Day.
In 2012 a handful of schools in London, England, got involved. By 2015, over 600 schools in 15 countries were involved. As the campaign grew, the volunteers who were running it recognised the need for dedicated investment. So, in 2016, ActionFunder (formerly called Semble) partnered with Unilever’s Dirt is Good team to grow the movement and take it global.
Following consultation with school leaders, play experts and NGOs around the world, the global campaign became Outdoor Classroom Day. There are currently dedicated campaigns running in 13 countries, in addition to a much wider network of schools getting involved in more than 110 countries worldwide! The India campaign is led by the NGO ACE Trust, supported by ActionFunder.
In response to the coronavirus crisis, the movement looks a bit different. See our latest statement on Outdoor Classroom Day and coronavirus.
The campaign’s founder and advisory board member, Anna Portch, continues to be involved in every campaign day.
“Academic research shows that active play is the natural and primary way that children learn”Sir Ken Robinson, leading expert in education, creativity and human development
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