Far too often homeschool parents fall into the same trap as every other parent. We are focused on instilling neatness, organization and study habits into our kids. We are pushing them in their academics; sometimes to prove that our abilities to educate our own kids are on par with the alternatives. We concern ourselves with the throughput of education and forget that this is also their childhood. As homeschooling offers parents the opportunity to tailor an individualized learning experience for their children, among these activities, spending time outside should play a critical role in fostering holistic growth and enhancing their childhoods. And childhoods should be smeared with a generous helping of dirt. As my grandmother used to say, “Everyone has to eat their peck of dirt before they die.”
And the clinical research seems to back up this notion. According to a study published in the “Journal of Physical Activity and Health” (Pate et al., 2018), children who engage in regular outdoor play tend to have better cardiovascular fitness, stronger bones, and healthier body weights. Moreover, exposure to natural sunlight allows children to absorb essential vitamin D, crucial for bone development and overall immune system function (Holick, 2017). Alongside these physical advantages, just being in the great outdoors supports mental well-being by reducing stress and anxiety levels. The “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health” highlights that exposure to nature can have a positive impact on children’s psychological health, leading to improved mood and increased resilience (McCormick, 2017).
For those of us with children who have attention deficits (or are the recovering deficient ones ourselves), cognitive development is also significantly enhanced when children spend ample time outdoors. A study conducted by Taylor and Kuo (2009) and published in “Psychological Science” found that exposure to natural environments can enhance attention spans and reduce symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The varied sensory stimuli offered by outdoor settings stimulate creativity and turn that nervous energy into problem-solving skills that only manifest in a varied environment. Additionally, nature-based experiences allow children to engage in unstructured play, which is associated with improved executive function and imagination (Burdette & Whitaker, 2005). Outdoor exploration encourages curiosity, as children encounter diverse elements and phenomena that pique their interest and drive them to ask questions and seek answers. By fostering a sense of wonder and promoting curiosity-driven learning, spending more time outside facilitates a well-rounded cognitive development that extends beyond traditional classroom settings.
So, how do we get our kids out into the sunshine and make it a part of our homeschooling day?
We aim for about 2 hours per day but without any rigid requirements. Seasons and temperature affect this but it is never too hot or too cold to get outside. Here’s what has worked for us.
“It’s bad for your eyes to read inside. It’s good to be able to look up from your book and be able to look into the distance so your eyes can focus on different things.”
8 year-old, Girl
(I think this is from our discussion about myopia)
1. Calisthenics
In good weather or bad, our ideal schedule is to start out the day with some outdoor exercise. Calisthenics, or bodyweight exercises, can be an excellent way to integrate physical activity into the homeschooling routine while being outdoors. About 20 minutes of calisthenics in the morning before breakfast really wakes the body up and gets the mind ready for the day. Taking exercise sessions outside not only adds variety to the learning environment but also helps our students develop their essential motor skills, strength, and flexibility. Calisthenics doesn’t require much equipment or none at all and can be adapted to suit children of different ages and fitness levels. I’ve found that our youngest students love it as their body-weight-to-strength ratios are even higher than the adults. The six-year-old can pump out 40 push ups like it’s nothing and is just shy of 10 pullups in a row.
2. Morning Hikes
We have a great state park near enough to our house so that about once a week, we can go on a hike before school. We usually do about 5-7 miles which takes us about two hours. Outside of the obvious benefits on health and cognitive function, I’ve found that it’s great for bonding. Especially with boys. Mom’s may not know this, but men and boys come out of their shells and become much more talkative when their brains are otherwise occupied on some sort of physical exertion. Hiking, rowing, even a well-practiced craft or hobby. When our bodies are engaged in habitual repetition, our ability to dialogue somehow feels more natural. Additionally, morning hikes in nature create an ideal environment for exploring science and ecology topics as children observe plants, animals, and ecosystems in their natural habitats. My children like me to ask them what we call “college questions.” We saw a YouTube video one day about just how much college students don’t know (When was the country founded? How many states are in the US? Name three other countries.) and so they like me to make up questions for them to answer. It’s a great time to review any type of rote memorization and any subject that doesn’t require calculation. From spelling and history, to foreign language and times tables. It’s a great method of review.
For those worried that strenuous exercise in the morning will cause your kids to crash, I’ve had a different experience. It seems to me that strenuous exercise in the morning gets rid of a lot of the “fidgety” energy, again, especially in boys. Our kids seem better ready to get to work after a hike. Admittedly, there is quite a large afternoon crash after lunch. Which has actually proven to be quite the benefit. If I plan accordingly, when I have other work that needs to get done, I can do it while the kids are crashed.
3. Recess
30-45 minutes on either side of lunch as adults get it prepared and after kids clean up.
After they’re done with their school work we’ll usually kick them outside to play unless they have a passion project that requires an indoor setting (robotics, electronics, sewing).
Structured recess breaks outdoors are essential for homeschool students’ overall well-being and academic success. Just like in traditional schools, recess provides much-needed time for students to decompress, socialize, and play freely. Sometimes we have structured games but most of the time they find their own ways of running around. By stepping outside during recess, students can take advantage of the fresh air and natural surroundings, which I’ve found to significantly reduce stress and improve mood during our lessons. Recess outdoors also promotes physical activity, helping children stay alert and focused during learning sessions. It allows for unstructured play, which is vital for creativity, problem-solving, and emotional development.
4. Just do School Outside:
All of our kids love to sit on the porch swing in the morning and do their math workbooks. We love to put picnic blankets out and do school work in the grass. Spelling and math games are great with sidewalk chalk in the driveway. Almost all crafts work better outside, both for clean up and for enjoyment. There are no restrictions in any state as to where you’re allowed to hold classes and study time. If you and your family have been spending too much time inside, simply take your schoolwork outside.
Whenever you need a break from one subject, whenever a lesson just isn’t working out the way you thought it would, whenever your students just have that glazed over look in their eyes, take your current epic read aloud, and go outside with it. Incorporating read-aloud sessions in an outdoor setting transforms the homeschooling experience for both children and parents. I’ve found that reading books under the open sky or in a cozy spot in the garden encourages a love for literature through sensory-heavy moments that reinforce nostalgic memories. Epics are perfect for this. When we get to combat scenes in one of our books, the kids will go find sticks and act out the parts of the characters. Outdoor read-alouds introduce children to the wonders of storytelling amidst the beauty of nature, stimulating their imaginations and fostering a deeper connection with the characters and settings. Additionally, the fresh air and change of scenery during reading sessions can help improve focus and concentration, making the learning process more enjoyable for everyone, irrespective of age.
“When you play outside you can use your imagination. Like with sticks. You can make swords. And logs that you can make pointy and into clubs that you can hit stuff. . .”
7 year-old, Boy
(The rest of this conversation kinda descends into a bunch of fantasy violence)
5. Plant a Garden
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a big proponent of growing things. I believe that people were created for the garden and the garden created for people. Whether you agree or not, starting a garden together is an invaluable hands-on learning experience for homeschoolers. It presents an opportunity to teach children about the natural world, botany, stewardship, and the slow enjoyment of growing plants. Through gardening our children have started down the path of learning patience and delayed gratification, a stark contrast to our dopamine-laden screen-driven culture. There are few more satisfying feats of accomplishment that a young kid can enjoy than watching their plants grow, flourish and then ripen into tangible — and edible — payoffs. And these young-aged successes pay dividends in our childrens’ ability to recall their memories of pride and empowerment built through work when the going gets tough in other aspects of their life. Remember the gladiolus that was bent in that storm? Well, it righted itself after we thought it was done for, and so can you.
“Vitamin D is good. I forget why though.”
7 year-old, Boy
6. Outdoor Chores
Never underestimate the importance of giving kids responsibilities and enforcing a work ethic through chores. Incorporating outdoor chores into the homeschool routine can teach children valuable life skills while getting the benefits of being outside. Chores like weeding the garden, watering plants, or tending to a compost bin allow children to contribute to the household and connect with nature. Our boys have even built a little business around selling fishing worms out of their worm bin. And for those of us who homestead, you can feel assured that your lessons in chores will put your kids well beyond their peers when the rigors of adulthood come.
Engaging in outdoor chores fosters a sense of responsibility, self-discipline, and teamwork. It also instills an appreciation for the household and the effort required to maintain it. We’ve found that our children develop a sense of ownership and pride in their home and surroundings that reinforces the work ethic that has shown to be useful to them in other aspects.
7. Just Kick them Outside
You don’t always need a good reason beyond knowing that our bodies were built for the outdoors. Just kick the kids out every now and then. Any free-reading or practice problems, we encouraged to be done outside. Up a tree, feet in the creek or perched on the porch swing, it makes little difference. I would caution that if you’re concerned about getting these activities done within a certain time limit then you may need to keep a closer eye on their progress than you might do otherwise. Especially when your students are first getting accustomed to the distraction-filled environment of doing their school work outside. But like any other aspect of parenting, if you give them an assignment, you just have to be a manager until they have shown themselves responsible to get it done on their own.
If you are into challenges and tracking your time, check out 1000 Hours Outside. You can join the challenge to spend 1000 hours outside in one year. Download a free tracker to keep track of your time outdoors. And find some friends in your area to meet up with at the park, nature center, playground, or hiking trail.
One of the beautiful things about homeschooling is that you can have in your education whatever you want. Whatever you think is best for your kids. If you think homeschooling entirely outdoors will be best for your child, there are no administrators that will compel you otherwise. Try out some new spots. See what and where works for you. Touch some grass. And eat some dirt.
References:
Pate, R. R., O’Neill, J. R., & Lobelo, F. (2018). The evolving definition of “sedentary”. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 46(3), 113-119.
Holick, M. F. (2017). The vitamin D deficiency pandemic: Approaches for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, 18(2), 153-165.
McCormick, R. (2017). Does access to green space impact the mental well-being of children: A systematic review. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 37, 3-7.
Taylor, A. F., & Kuo, F. E. (2009). Children with attention deficits concentrate better after walk in the park. Journal of Attention Disorders, 12(5), 402-409.
Burdette, H. L., & Whitaker, R. C. (2005). Resurrecting free play in young children: Looking beyond fitness and fatness to attention, affiliation, and affect. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 159(1), 46-50.
