Outdoor Play & Forest School — Scotland's Approach to Health
A P3–P6 Health & Wellbeing resource on outdoor play, Forest School, and Scotland's commitment to outdoor learning — benefits for health, wellbeing, and development.
Preview
Page count: 2. Print-ready PDF — letter / A4 friendly. Click image to see all pages.
Outdoor learning in Scotland
- 1 Curriculum for Excellence and outdoors CfE explicitly values outdoor learning. The Government's Curriculum for Excellence Through Outdoor Learning document (2010) describes outdoor learning as integral, not extra-curricular.
- 2 Forest School An outdoor education approach using regular sessions in a woodland or natural setting. Emphasises child-led learning, risk-taking, and connection with nature. Scotland has one of the highest concentrations of Forest School practitioners in the UK.
- 3 Physical benefits Gross motor development; vitamin D (crucial in Scotland's limited sunlight); improved cardiovascular fitness; better sleep. Children who play outdoors regularly are healthier.
- 4 Mental health benefits Strong evidence (including from Scottish studies) that regular time in natural environments reduces anxiety, improves mood, and builds resilience. Green social prescribing is now used by NHS Scotland.
- 5 Risk and challenge Outdoor play involves managed risk. Children who are never allowed to take physical risks do not develop risk assessment skills. Scotland's approach to outdoor learning explicitly accepts managed risk as educationally valuable.
- 6 Outdoor learning in all weathers Scottish schools are encouraged to go outdoors in all weathers. 'There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing' — a Scandinavian saying widely quoted in Scottish outdoor education.
Learning objective
Describe Scotland's commitment to outdoor learning in CfE; explain Forest School principles; identify the physical and mental health benefits of outdoor play; and discuss managed risk in outdoor contexts.
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