As January rolls in with its brisk winds and fresh opportunities, it’s the perfect time to explore the transformative benefits of outdoor experiences.  Whether you’re an educator in early learning and childcare programs, in the school system or a homeschooler seeking creative ways to spark children’s curiosity, outdoor environments can provide a wealth of opportunities to engage children in meaningful and memorable ways.
 

Why Outdoor Experiences Matter

Research consistently highlights the positive impact of outdoor experiences on children’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical development. By having opportunities to engage in the outdoor environment, children are exposed to hands-on experiences that:

1. Enhance Engagement: Children’s curiosity comes alive in natural settings. Through play and exploration, math becomes tangible through measuring tree heights or calculating the flow of a stream, while science feels immediate when observing wildlife or analyzing soil samples.
2. Improve Mental Health: Spending time outdoors reduces stress, improves focus, and boosts mood. In the often-overwhelming digital age, nature provides a much-needed counterbalance.
3. Build Physical Fitness: Outdoor experiences encourage movement, whether it’s rolling in the snow, sliding on ice, climbing over tree stumps or snowbanks, or simply walking or running through a path.  These types of physical activity support overall health and complement children’s abilities to concentrate on academic pursuits.
4. Develop Lifelong Skills: Teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and resilience flourish in outdoor settings as children navigate challenges such as building shelters, orienteering, or working together on child-initiated projects.

 

Ideas for January Outdoor Experiences 

January’s cooler weather and crisp mornings offer unique opportunities for outdoor experiences.  Here are a few ideas to get started:

1. Winter Nature Walks

Bundle up and explore a nearby park or nature reserve. Encourage children to observe seasonal changes, such as bare branches, frost and ice patterns, or migrating birds. Provide children with cameras and journals to document items in their environments that intrigue them. 

2. Outdoor Storytelling Sessions

Take literature experiences outdoors by reading under a winter sun or around a campfire. Encourage children to craft their own stories inspired by the natural environment, blending creative ideas with sensory experiences.

3. STEM Challenges in Nature

Encourage children to look at the outdoor environment to determine what they might use to create various types of shelters or dens. How can they construct them? These hands-on challenges bring STEM concepts to life in a dynamic and interactive way.

4. Environmental Stewardship Projects

January is a great time to engage children in bird watching and in mindfulness. Encourage children to find a place outdoors to sit and observe birds. Which birds do they see? Do they hear birds in the distance?  What species of birds do they see most? Do they see bird tracks on the ground? These observations instill a sense of connection with the environment.  
 

Tips for Success

• Plan for the Weather: Dress in layers, pack waterproof gear, and always bring extra mittens, hand warmers, and hats for children. 
• Prioritize Safety: Conduct risk assessments for outdoor experiences and ensure children are prepared for the terrain and conditions.
• Incorporate Reflection: After children have been outdoors, discuss with them what they saw, what did they think, and what did they wonder. Encourage children to think about what they might want to do during their next time outdoors. 

 

Start the Year Outdoors 

January marks a fresh start for children and educators alike. By integrating outdoor experiences into children’s daily lives, you are contributing to children fostering a deeper connection to the natural world. So, lace up your boots, step outside, and make this year one of exploration, growth, and adventure.