Teaching is stressful, and many teachers leave the profession because of it. Outdoor learning is known to benefit children, but few studies have asked what it does for the teachers leading it. This study looked at that question directly.
The researchers worked with six teachers of 5- and 6-year-olds and two school leaders at two Australian primary schools that already valued outdoor learning. Over six to twelve months, the lead researcher watched outdoor lessons and interviewed the teachers, some of them on walks around the school grounds. At one school, four teachers also met with her in three rounds to plan, try and reflect on new outdoor lessons.
The researchers grouped what teachers described into professional and personal benefits:
- Teaching felt rewarding. Teachers enjoyed teaching outdoors and felt more motivated. Seeing children happy and learning outside boosted their job satisfaction. One teacher said outdoor learning "makes me a better teacher." Another, who had been close to quitting, said outdoor teaching made her feel she could teach again.
- Relationships grew stronger. Children talked more openly outside, and teachers got to know children they rarely reached in the classroom. Teachers valued seeing "a different side" of their students.
- Children were more engaged and calmer. Children who struggled to focus indoors took an active part outside. Teachers who had worried about managing behavior outdoors found their classes calmer there. That meant less time correcting behavior and more time teaching.
- There was less noise. Teachers found classroom noise overwhelming. Outdoors the sound spread out, which helped them stay patient with children. Two staff members noted that not every outdoor space on school grounds is quieter.
- Teachers felt better. Teachers said time outside left them happier, calmer, less stressed and more clear-headed.
- Teachers moved more. Walking to outdoor areas and moving among children kept teachers on their feet throughout lessons.
- Teachers felt closer to nature. Teachers grew fond of particular natural places on their school grounds. Early worries about venomous snakes eased over the year. The school's safety rules helped, such as closing a wooded area during the months snakes were most active.
The researchers describe these benefits as a cycle. What helps children outdoors also helps their teachers, and teachers who feel well can teach better.
What this means for your practice
- Notice what outdoor teaching does for you. The teachers here gained energy, calm and enjoyment from teaching outside. After an outdoor lesson, pay attention to how you feel as well as how children responded.
- Use outdoor time to connect. Children opened up more outdoors, and teachers valued those conversations. Build in time to talk with individual children, especially those you rarely reach indoors.
- Watch for children who come alive outside. Teachers saw children who struggled to focus indoors take full part outdoors. Notice who these children are in your group.
- Don't let behavior worries hold you back. Several teachers had avoided outdoor lessons because of behavior, then found their classes calmer outside. If this is your worry, try a lesson and see how your class responds.
- Make lessons active. Moving through the grounds kept both teachers and children active. For example, one teacher led a 40-minute walk where children hunted for words starting with that week's letter sounds and wrote them on small whiteboards. This is an example from the study, not a tested method.
- Expect a break from classroom noise. Teachers found outdoor lessons much quieter than the classroom, which helped them stay patient. Staff also noted that not every outdoor space on school grounds is quiet.
The Bottom Line
The researchers observed and interviewed six teachers and two school leaders at two Australian primary schools over six to twelve months. Teachers said teaching outdoors made their work more enjoyable and renewed their motivation. Outdoors, they built closer relationships with children, saw children more engaged and better behaved, and got a break from the tiring noise of the classroom. They also described personal benefits: better mood and less stress, more physical activity during the school day, and a deeper connection to nature on their school grounds. The researchers describe these benefits for teachers and children as feeding each other. For educators, the study shows that outdoor teaching can support your own wellbeing and job satisfaction, not only your students' learning.