Image from Aziz Acharki
In today’s fast-paced world, social-emotional learning (SEL) has become increasingly critical in nurturing well-rounded individuals. SEL equips individuals with the necessary competencies to navigate personal, social, and professional challenges. Classroom settings play an integral role in fostering SEL and outdoor classrooms also offer a unique and enriching environment to enhance these essential skills.
Social-emotional learning empowers individuals to understand and manage emotions, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. It plays a pivotal role in enhancing mental health, boosting academic achievement, and fostering healthy social interactions. By providing a foundation for self-awareness, self-regulation, self-management, social awareness, relationships skills, and responsible decision-making, SEL equips individuals with the necessary tools to thrive.
Outdoor classrooms offer a unique opportunity to connect with nature, foster a sense of well-being, peace, and harmony. There is lots of research which suggests that exposure to natural environments reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, while promoting overall psychological and physical well-being.
Our outdoor classroom provides authentic learning experiences that are difficult to replicate in our indoor classroom environment – though, of course, not impossible. Field trips, nature walks, and outdoor experiments encourage hands-on exploration, problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration among students, thereby fostering SEL competencies such as curiosity, resilience, and adaptability.
So how do we develop and support social-emotional learning competencies in our outdoor classroom?
Self-awareness is enhanced through outdoor play. When our learners have unstructured play time outdoors, they learn about their strengths, interests, and limitations which all contribute to an increased self-awareness. One of my favourite books to read outdoors to encourage self-awareness reflections: The Bad Seed by John Jory.
We develop relationship skills through playing cooperate games, role-playing activities, and other team-building STEAM challenges that foster communication, empathy, and improved social interactions among peers. One of my favourite books to read outdoors to encourage self-awareness reflections: Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry.
Our self-regulation is also nurtured. The unpredictable nature of outdoor learning and playing requires individuals to adapt, be patient, and manage their emotions effectively. Dealing with challenges, setbacks, and unexpected situations cultivates resilience, self-control, and emotional regulation. One of my favourite books to read outdoors to encourage self-awareness reflections: The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett.
Responsible decision-making is improved! Engaging in outdoor learning and play involves assessing risks, making choices, and taking responsibility for one’s actions. This cultivates a sense of accountability, judgement, and responsible decision-making. One of my favourite books to read outdoors to encourage self-awareness reflections: I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen.
A great podcast about social-emotional learning in an outdoor classroom is “Social-Emotional Learning Outdoors with Miriam Miller.”
If you want to learn more about social-emotional learning, I highly encourage you to visit the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) website: https://casel.org/
Downloads to Support Social-Emotional Learning
Here are some resources for you to download to support you with social-emotional learning in your outdoor classroom. You can also download each image individually. Just click on the image of your choice. Contact me if you have any questions. Thanks!
Self-Awareness
Social Awareness
Self-Management / Self-Regulation
Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision-Making
