9 Benefits Of Outdoor Learning For Kids

9 Benefits Of Outdoor Learning For Kids is now live on the Hope. Act. Thrive podcast with our special guest, Dr Amanda Lloyd.

Why you’ll want to listen to this episode.

“I think if we are connected to where we live, we understand the changes in our space. . . And nature play is so involved in that because that's how kids connect with the outdoor world,” says Dr. Amanda Lloyd, an educator with a PhD on the advantages of outdoor learning for Primary School students.

In this conversation, we talk about outdoor play, the importance of nature play and connecting children with nature.

This episode is supported by Centennial Parklands, one of Australia's most popular and historic public parklands, with almost 31 million visitors a year.

Check out the nature play programs at Centennial Parklands – Bush School and School Holiday programs.

And if you’re looking for something else in Sydney? Check out the brand new nature play events and outdoor community programs at Western Sydney Parklands (WSP). Check out Greener Wilder West at Western Sydney Parklands between August and November 2022.

Why we were thrilled to chat with Amanda.

Dr. Amanda Lloyd is an educator with extensive experience teaching, researching and adventuring outdoors. Amanda completed a PhD focused on the advantages of outdoor learning for Primary School students. She uses this experience to develop nature play programs for children and deliver professional learning for teachers.

Amanda was the inaugural Executive Officer of Outdoors NSWACT, where her advocacy work focused on liaising with government agencies, cross-sector communications and national collaborations. She is currently the Nature Play Manager at Centennial Parklands leading the Nature Play for NSW project.

You will often find her outside bushwalking with her 2-year-old.

Words from Amanda you won’t want to miss.

“I think if we are connected to where we live, we understand the changes in our space. I think it's important to connect early because then we're understanding more of what's going on. And nature play is so involved in that because that's how kids connect with the outdoor world.”

“Do what appeals to you, because it's not going to be the same for everyone. It might be creative, it might be developing your gross motor skills on a walk over different terrains, or it might be just something that's so simple and could be going and sitting outside and listening to what's going on around you.”

“Start really thinking about what senses you can engage in when you're outside. . . Start small. Do what's achievable.”

“There's a real sense of pride that we're learning in place, and those traditional boundaries of learning are gone. You learn wherever you are, and I think that's really powerful.”

“There is hope that our kids are going to be connected and learn to love the world. And that's absolutely brilliant for us as a whole society. But it's also great for them when they start to see the benefits to their own self. So I have hope just by looking at the kids, and I hope that they have access to it. And we're the ones that enable that.”

How can you listen?

Listen to this conversation on Apple, Google, or Spotify.

And if you just can’t get enough of us, do come hang out with us on on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. We share real tips for real parents, and help you to turn eco-anxiety and gloom into fun and playful action. Plus you’ll regularly see us make fools of ourselves on Instagram reels.

Until next time - let’s hope, act, and thrive.