Why should you take your class outdoors?

WWF

April is Explore Outdoors month! Spring has sprung, why not celebrate? April is a great month to get outside and reconnect with nature. Whether you’re training for WWF’s CN Tower Climb, discovering the season with your kids or students or just enjoying warmer weather, keep an eye on our blog and wwfcastg.wwf.ca for great ideas and resources.

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© Gordon Terrace Elementary

Spending time outdoors on a regular basis offers many benefits to students, including improved motor coordination, capacity to focus and cognitive ability. Even urban schools with limited access to natural settings can provide opportunities for connecting with nature. Teachers who have made the move to outdoor class time tell us they have been rewarded with more engaged students, lower absentee rates and a closer bond among classmates. But don’t just take our word for it! These six elementary school teachers outline their reasons for taking students outside:

WWF is encouraging classrooms to explore the outdoors this month using our newest Schools for a Living Planet teacher resources for K–2. These free tools help children discover the world around them. All include outdoor activity ideas as well as a downloadable WWF Wonder Book, a nature journal for drawing and recording questions inspired by the outdoors.