Do children learn better outdoors?

3 questions for Rolf Jucker, Managing Director of the Silviva Foundation, the Swiss competence centre for learning in and with nature.

Mr Jucker, what exactly does the Silviva Foundation do?

The aim of our foundation is to ensure that as many schoolchildren as possible throughout Switzerland can benefit from learning in nature. We offer further training for teachers and entire school teams. We also organise exchange and networking days for teachers, school administrators, researchers and PH lecturers. We promote direct implementation in schools with practical materials such as the «Teaching outdoors» handbook for all subjects in cycles 1 and 2 as well as the www.draussenunterrichten.ch platform, where teachers receive support.

Rolf Jucker is Managing Director of the Silviva Foundation
Rolf Jucker is Managing Director of the Silviva Foundation

Why do many children learn better in the fresh air?

International research now shows very clearly that children and teachers benefit in many ways from outdoor learning: They can learn with all their senses using concrete objects such as trees. For children with a strong urge to move, learning in nature is a liberating experience that leads to greater concentration and learning success. Fresh air and daylight are often in short supply in the classroom - outside, they are in abundance. It also strengthens relationships between teachers and pupils as well as among the children: Being rained on together or seeing a kingfisher up close builds the trust that is essential for learning.

What impact has corona had on your foundation?

Corona has led to a sharp rise in interest in outdoor teaching throughout Switzerland. Because not only is the risk of infection lower outdoors, but it is also much easier to maintain social distancing, many teachers have been teaching more in the fresh air. We are seeing a sharp rise in demand for teacher training, further training for entire school teams and also for our handbook. We have also compiled suggestions for teachers and parents on remote learning in nature, so that nature can be used for learning even when there are restrictions.
Further information and events: www.silviva.ch

Read more about outdoor lessons:

  • School lessons in the field
    Did you know that you can keep pests away from vegetables with perfume? The GemüseAckerdemie promotes sustainability and appreciation of food in schools and the revitalisation of old school gardens. We accompanied a primary 3 class as they worked in the field.
  • Maths with mosquitoes: outdoor lessons
    If you want to protect nature, you have to know it - the nature conservation organisation WWF is convinced of this. In project weeks, the conservationists help schools to teach outdoors. We were there and wanted to know: How does maths work between leaves and fir branches?