Inclusion of children in outdoor education. Learning in motion: Report 1.

This report is part of a greater exercise programme  (LIM) under the Socrates Programme, Grundtvig 1, that focuses on inclusion of children in outdoor activities.  The programme consists of two parts. 1) A review of the literature on the terms and conditions for inclusion of children under the age of 18 through outdoor pedagogics, 2) field studies of outdoor play activities for young people aged between 12 and 18 and aged between 18 and 25.  This report exclusively deals with the literature review in part 1, where the objective is to collect studies that define what outdoor pedagogics are and how outdoor activities contribute to learning for children and young people with or without a disability.

The majority of children aged between zero and seven play outdoors and enjoy the advantages such as more space, fresh air and less exposure to infections. Until the age of 4, children accept one another, and a disability is rarely a hindrance to being accepted in play activities.  School-age children (7-12 years old) still to a great extent have the same play interests as younger children, however the nature of their play entails a greater risk of exclusion for some children. When children begin school, they begin to notice those children who are different. Young people aged between 12 and 18 spend more time with their friends than with their family, and their activities often take place indoors, even though many young people are still involved in outdoor sports. The study also finds that indoor activities are associated with learning and that there is a tendency that these are regarded as being more important than outdoor activities that are associated with playing. The report concludes that it is easier for children to be included in play activities that take place outdoors rather than indoors, and that outdoor activities facilitate learning more.

The data collection consists of literature searches in the ERIC database and Libris for studies about outdoor pedagogics for children and young people with or without a disability.

Brodin, J.; Lindstrand, P.(2006). Inclusion of children in outdoor education. Learning in motion: Report 1. Stockholm: Lärarhögskolan.