Back to School: Benefits of Holding Homeschool Outside

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image © Ingo Bernhardt; Flickr.com

Back to school...err, homeschool! It's that time of year again, when kids are learning more and studying for longer periods of time. For many homeschoolers, school never truly ends, but it can slow down during the summer. If you want to try something different with the kids this school year, consider the benefits of holding homeschool classes outside.

Fresh Air & Breeze is Great Stimulation

One great benefit of holding class outside during homeschool hours is the fresh air. Kids can smell the fragrance of fresh flowers, plants, and other aromas. The mental stimulation can be a great educational motivator. Students also may enjoy feeling a warm or cool breeze as they concentrate on their school assignments. Move desks outside or simply lounge on a picnic blanket or in a tree.

Outdoor Scenes Correlate Well With Hands-On Learning

Many hands-on learning activities will be done best outdoors and if class is held outside it's easy to combine hands-on learning with study materials. For instance, when a child studies the life cycle of a butterfly, rather than only read about it in a book, a child could actually observe butterflies outside. When studying the way in which plants grow, children can plant and grow their own gardens and see how that relates to what they are learning. There are many ways to use the outdoors in classroom studies. ChildrenAndNature.org is one organization dedicated to connecting children and nature (and contains news, resources, tips, and more).

More Room to Stretch While Learning Outside

Stretching between school assignments is necessary for students. Holding class outside gives even more room and freedom to do so. There will be much more room to stretch or even do a mini yoga session for focus and relaxation. Kids can stretch on a patio or even in the grass. They even can take a few minutes to play on a playground or elsewhere in the yard if they need a break between lessons. While this is also possible for an inside homeschool class, it’s more roomy and convenient to do so outdoors.

Calming Learning Setting

Holding class outside can make for a great calming setting for the kids to learn the lessons in. The swaying of the trees, the fresh air mentioned above, birds chirping, and other outdoor sights and sounds can help soothe and relax the kids. When kids are calm, their minds are more likely to be prepared for learning.

Fun for Students

Some kids may just love the idea of having homeschool outside. The idea of being outdoors instead of inside at a desk or table may simply sound fun to students. Even though education will be taking place, why not make it fun as well? When kids are in an enjoyable environment, they may be more likely to pay attention to their school lessons.

Variety in Scenery

If your kids are getting bored during a homeschool class, it may be time to add some variety. Holding class outside is one way to do that. Try holding class outside in the backyard, at a park, at the zoo, at the library, at museums, and more. Holding class in a variety of places may help hold a child's interest and keep him or her excited to learn.

*I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network