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Step Away from The Screen and Get Outside!

Step Away from The Screen and Get Outside!

Recent reports indicate that the average child born in the UK today will have spent approximately a quarter of their life looking at screens by the time they turn 80. By just age seven, children will have spent a cumulative year watching screens. Of course, screens do have numerous benefits; they provide access to an abundance of information, and in educational settings, technology such as laptops, interactive whiteboards, projectors, and TVs has become invaluable, significantly enhancing learning experiences across classrooms nationwide.

However, this increased reliance on screen-based activities in both school and home life is contributing to children becoming more inactive, leading to associated health problems and a growing detachment from nature and the outdoors. Studies have also linked excessive screen time with lower self-esteem, increased stress, shorter attention spans, and poor sleep quality. These issues highlight the necessity of achieving a healthy balance, ensuring screens enhance children’s lives without negatively impacting their overall wellbeing.

Finding the Right Balance

Schools have a unique opportunity to help children establish a healthier relationship with screens by encouraging regular breaks and incorporating more non-screen-based activities into daily routines. This can be achieved by designing lessons that limit technology use and by promoting activities such as outdoor learning, play, and sports.

For many children, particularly those living in urban environments, access to safe outdoor spaces at home can be limited. Concerns over traffic safety, stranger danger, or other risks can lead parents to restrict outdoor play. As a result, school often becomes the primary setting where children can safely run, explore, and enjoy fresh air in a stimulating outdoor environment.

Practical Tips for Increasing Outdoor Activity

Integrating outdoor activities into your lessons is an excellent way to engage students with nature and their surroundings. You might notice that children who typically struggle with classroom concentration can thrive outdoors, benefiting from the practical, hands-on nature of open-air lessons and the more relaxed atmosphere.

Encouraging pupils to spend time outdoors during breaks and lunchtime is another effective strategy. Providing engaging equipment and organising enjoyable outdoor activities can significantly reduce the likelihood of children sitting idle and fixated on their mobile devices.

To ensure that outdoor learning and play aren’t limited to pleasant weather, consider installing a shaded or sheltered space on your school grounds. A school canopy can create a comfortable, welcoming area that protects pupils from both inclement weather and strong sunlight, allowing them to enjoy outdoor activities throughout the entire year.

Enjoy the Benefits

By proactively reducing screen time and increasing outdoor experiences, you’ll likely notice several positive outcomes among your students. Once you’ve implemented these strategies, reflect on whether you and your pupils are enjoying the following benefits:

  • Increased physical activity and improved overall health
  • Reduced anxiety levels and enhanced mood
  • Improved concentration and focus during lessons
  • Boosted creativity and imaginative play
  • Strengthened problem-solving abilities and leadership skills
  • Enhanced communication and social interaction
  • A stronger, more robust immune system

Getting children outdoors more frequently isn’t just enjoyable; it’s crucial for their physical, emotional, and academic growth. Why not make this positive change today?

Able Canopies Ltd. design, manufacture and install canopies and shade structures at schools, nurseries and educational settings to enable year-round Free Flow Outdoor Play and Outdoor Learning.
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