Understanding the Benefits & Hazards of Outdoor Play and Learning
A guide to understanding the site-specific benefits and hazards of outdoor learning and play at Sensory Garden and Play.
Benefits
Physical Development
Vestibular system, spatial awareness and proprioception.
Locomotor skills.
Hand-eye coordination.
Sensory integration.
Decreased symptoms of ADD and ADHD.
Ecological identity
Stewardship and care taking habits.
Connection with indigenous heritage/origins of land.
Personal connection with the natural world.
Understanding and respect for diversity and interconnectedness of ecosystems.
Self-help skills
Learning to care for one’s basic needs.
Nine values of biophilia as described by Kellert and Wilson in The Biophilia Hypothesis:
BIOPHILIC VALUE / DEFINITION / FUNCTION
Utilitarian / Practical use of material nature / Sustaining physical life and security
Naturalistic / Pleasure from contact with nature / Development of mental, physical and outdoor skills and development
Ecologist-scientific / Scientific study of the interconnectedness of nature and natural systems / Observing nature, increasing knowledge and understanding
Aesthetic / Appeal of nature’s physical beauty / Feelings of security, inspiration and contentedness
Symbolic / Expressing ideas through nature based language and metaphors / Developing mentally, communicating with others / Nature
Humanistic / Emotional bond with, and love for nature / Companionship, bonding and cooperation
Moralistic / Ethical concern / Judgements and revering nature / Moral reasoning, meaning of life, affiliation
Dominionistic / Control and dominance of nature / Technological/mechanical skill, physicality, control
Negativistic / Aversion, removal and fear of nature / Security and physical protection
*Biophilia is the inborn affinity human beings have for other forms of life in nature.
Social Development
Cultural knowledge about self, community and place-based aspects of learning.
Friendship and building positive connections.
Teamwork and collaboration.
Emotional Intelligence.
Navigating positive conflicts.
Emotional
Values of empathy, gratitude and compassion for all living things.
Regulating emotions.
Stress reduction.
Mental health.
Reflection and appreciation.
Cognition
High order thinking.
High order thinking skills.
STEM-based learning.
Creative expressive arts.
Language and literacy development.
Vitamin D intake from sunshine.
Hazards
Wildlife
Insects (Bees, Wasps, Hornets, Yellow Jackets, Mosquitoes)
Snakes
Spiders
Ticks
Fleas
Bears
Skunks
Stray Animals
Birds
Plants
Poison Ivy
Nuts/seeds (allergens)
Mushrooms
Thorns / bramble
Wind
Wind Advisories
Water
Stream pond exploration
Sun
Sunburn
