A new poll shows that people believe children do not spend enough time enjoying the natural world and that they should spend more of their school time learning outdoors in nature.
It has been widely proven that regular contact with nature makes children healthier, happier, and better able to learn. The poll, commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts, surveyed 1,000 adults, and reveals:
- 75% believe children do not spend enough time outdoors enjoying the natural world
- 72% believe that in school, children should spend more time learning and playing outside in a natural setting
- 75% believe that school grounds should become greener, wilder places so that all children can experience nature first-hand
- 76% believe that learning outside enables children to understand and experience things that cannot be taught in a classroom
The findings from the poll of adults are echoed by young people involved in Our Bright Future, a £33 million programme led by The Wildlife Trusts and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Young people on the programme were asked: ‘If you could change one thing for you and the environment, what would this be?’. One of the top three requests was for more outdoor education and more learning about nature. Our Bright Future supports learning in and about nature across the curriculum, for all ages and throughout all subjects.