Why Forest School

Science based benefits of outdoor play.
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Children who play outside are more physically active, which helps prevent obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other health issues
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Children with nature-rich schoolyards are calmer and pay more attention to their teachers than children whose schoolyards have few natural elements.
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Children with ADHD experience significantly fewer symptoms after spending time in nature
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Children who play regularly in natural environments have more advanced motor skills, such as agility, balance and coordination, and are sick less often
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Children who play outside have higher levels of vitamin D, which in turn strengthens their bones and immune systems
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Children who learn how to garden eat more fruit and vegetables and are more likely too keep a healthy lifestyle later in life
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Children who play outside engage in more imaginative games, interact more and get along better
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Children whose schools offer outdoor classrooms or other forms of environmental education score higher on standardized tests
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Children who grow up having regular contact with the natural world are more likely to develop a lifelong love for nature and care to preserve it
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Children are less likely to engage in bullying when they play in natural environments
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Children who play in nature score higher on concentration and self-discipline tests
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Children who are exposed to the natural world develop stronger awareness, reasoning and observation skills
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Children who play outside suffer less nearsightedness and are less likely to need eyeglasses
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Credits to:
Here are some great resources on the benefits of playing outdoors.
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Benefits of outdoor play:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/6-reasons-children-need-to-play-outside-2018052213880
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Benefits of passive nature exposure:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204618309058?via%3Dihub
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Collection of Articles on outdoor play:
https://www.childrenandnature.org/research-library/results/?h=uHstsH5S
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Outdoor play in the winter:
Interested in sending your child to Maple Sprouts Forest School?