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Key benefits of reading outdoors
Key benefits of reading outdoors
Educational research has proven that outdoor learning has many benefits for children. It has shown to have a positive impact on pupil engagement and improve social, emotional and communication skills as well as boost confidence.
At BookSpace, we believe these benefits can be linked to reading too. We know from our work in primary schools that lots of teachers are eager to take their class outside to share stories and enjoy the fresh air.
In fact, this switch in environment can actually help to engage children in reading – especially for more reluctant readers or children that struggle to focus in the classroom.
So, this got us thinking… what are some of the key benefits of reading outside?
Improves children’s physical, mental and emotional health
One of the most significant benefits of reading outside is the exposure to nature. Learning environments with a greater number of plants, greener views, and access to natural play areas have proven to have a positive impact on mental health, reducing stress and anxiety in young learners.
Nature is known to have a calming effect on mood and can help children who have additional social, emotional and mental health needs. Not to mention natural light is perfect for reading.
Helps to develop a school-wide reading culture
A recent survey from the National Literacy Trust has explored how the current cost-of-living crisis is having a direct impact on children’s access to books at home. The study found that out of 3,057 parents and carers across Great Britain, 20% said they had to reduce how much they spent on books and over a quarter were asking their children to borrow more books from their school library.
These findings highlight the importance of making books more accessible throughout the school day and not just during allotted library time. Having an outdoor reading area, for example, is a great way for children to access books before, during and after school.
What’s more, outdoor libraries are a great way to open up reading to the whole school community and make it easier to encourage parents and carers to share a story with their child. As a result, this can help to promote a school-wide reading culture and develop lifelong readers.
Offers a fuller sense of freedom
Reading outside can also provide a sense of freedom and independence. When children are in the classroom, they are often sat in regimented seating patterns but being outside, they are free to choose their own reading spot, whether it be under a tree, on the grass or on a tree stump.
This can help children feel more independent and in control of their own unique reading experience.
Improves engagement and behaviour
An impromptu trip outside to share a story is a great way to make the reading experience feel extra special and get children excited about books.
We know that some pupils struggle to settle or concentrate within the confines of the classroom or school library but take them outside and they often thrive in a new setting.
The shift from traditional classroom settings to the outdoors is shown to improve pupil engagement and behaviour by harnessing children’s enjoyment of being outside.
Encourages cross-curricular learning
Reading a book about nature in an outdoor setting is a wonderful way to connect literature with other areas of the curriculum – science, geography, creative writing and art to name a few.
Take Benjamin Zephaniah’s beautiful poem ‘Nature Trail’ as an example. Children can follow the story, discover what minibeasts they can find in their outdoor area or create their own version of the front cover using leaves, sticks and flowers found outside.
Offers multi-sensory experiences
Sensory learning theory tells us that children learn better when they actively engage their senses and that not all pupils learn in the same way. Whilst some children learn through visual aids, others might respond better to touch, movement or sound.
Taking a class outside for story time not only exposes them to a variety of sights, sounds, smells and textures but it can also help young readers to visualise the characters, setting and remember the plot. Furthermore, it links well to other literacy activities like building vocabulary, creative writing, poetry or speaking and listening skills.
Creative activities like making story stones, alphabet rocks and shaping letters using leaves, flowers, fruit, twigs etc. are just a few ways to add a sensory experience to literacy. For more ideas and activities, check out our free Reading Garden Resource here.
Connects reading and the enjoyment of being outdoors
A sunny day shouldn’t mean a choice between being outside and opening a book. An outdoor library combines reading with the joy of spending time outside, allowing children to enjoy the fresh air whilst getting lost in a good book.
Here are some simple ideas for displaying a small selection of books outdoors that are guaranteed to catch children’s eyes:
Open an instant outdoor library at playtime with this Reading Shed.
Create a striking reading wall with a range of different book displays.
Use Book Trugs to take a small selection of books outside for story time.
Brings stories to life
Reading outside can help bring literacy to life. This is especially true when children read books that are about nature, the environment, animals, insects or where the parts of the story take place outside.
With space for more imaginative engagement, children can act out or roleplay scenes from a book, encouraging them to reflect on the characters and develop their creativity.
Here are some of BookSpace’s all-time favourite picturebooks which are perfect for re-enacting outdoors. Children can follow the stories, recreate the actions, movements and sounds to animate the reading experience and make it more memorable.
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Outdoor library furniture
If you’d like your pupils to enjoy some of the benefits of reading outside, take a look at our brand-new outdoor furniture range.
Made with durability in mind, our new outdoor furniture range has everything you need to create the perfect outdoor library – face-out book display, storage and seating.
To order a free copy of our outdoor catalogue, click here.