The importance of supporting children development is increasingly being highlighted in Singapore. Rolling out the Singapore Made For Families 2025 Plan, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) underlines how support for children's development is a key facet to "champion families at every stage of their lives". 

In Singapore where academic excellence of children often takes precedence, holistic development of children is often overlooked, with little to no importance placed on the emotional wellbeing and cognitive development of children, especially during their early years. 

Targeting this gap in children's development, many schools are gradually inculcating alternative learning tools that will provide an all-rounded learning curriculum for children. A key facet of providing holistic learning is through outdoor learning for kids, where children learn in, learn about and learn through nature. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) highlights how outdoor learning for kids is an "integral part of children's everyday life" and should be part and parcel of a child's educational journey. 

Kids Adventure Camp: Nature Inquiry at City Sprouts Urban Farm

Being outdoors is a natural classroom and playground. In this blog post, we'll explore the myriad advantages of outdoor learning for kids.

Benefits of Outdoor Learning for Kids

1. Outdoor Learning Enhances Physical Health

When screen time and tech-heavy Home-Based Learning becomes a norm in school, children spend an exorbitant amount of time indoors glued to their technological devices. 

Kids Adventure Camp: Biodiversity Nature Trail at Lorong Halus Wetlands

Being outdoors in nature enhances children's physical health that may be deteriorated by being indoors for long hours. Outdoor play in nature promotes physical activity and helps children develop motor skills, strength, and coordination. Research shows that looking at greenery has proven to be an effective way of combating childhood myopia, a common vision impairment increasingly popular amongst children aged seven to nine year old in Singapore.

Simple outdoor activities your kids can engage in includes:

• Running and hiking in nature parks
• Bird-watching among the trees
• Looking through a binoculars for a biodiversity scavenger hunt 
• Leaves and twigs collecting
• Digging through dirt to see what's underneath

2. Outdoor Learning Nurtures a Biophilic Connection

Did you know that children in Singapore spend only about 30 minutes outdoors every day! Children in Singapore often juggle between school, homework, weekend enrichment classes, tuition and so much more. Spending long hours indoors especially in social isolation is proven to increase anxiety and depression amongst children. 

Kids Adventure Camp: Hands On Gardening Workshop 

The easiest solution to prevent social isolation for children is to simply step outdoors and interact with the environment around them. Nurturing a biophilic connection is about reinstating human connection to nature that is innate to everyone. Being outdoors can reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation that kids may experience. Furthermore, when kids form an emotional connection with nature, they are able to practise empathy and mindfulness as they reflect on their impact and connection to the environment around them. 

Ideas for biophilic activities for your kids include:

• Feeding fishes in a nature park
• Searching for insects among the soil and greenery
• Appreciating beautiful flora and fauna

3. Outdoor Learning for Creativity and Imagination

Taking a break from the boring four walls of a classroom, being outdoors is a great setting for learning. Natural environments are not just soothing, they also stimulate. With sights to see and textures to touch, sensory engagement of children are heightened, increasing their capacity to take in new information and knowledge. 

Kids Adventure Camp: Nature Inquiry at Lorong Halus Wetlands

Kids at a young age have an avid imagination. Creativity runs free in an outdoor classroom as kids have the freedom to explore their natural surrounding. 

Some kid activities for your outdoor classroom are:

• Nature art with flora and fauna
• Speech and drama set in nature
• Amazing race and obstacle courses in nature

Outdoor Learning with City Sprouts Kids Adventure Camp

For kids in Singapore, spending time outdoors is not just a recreational activity; it's a gateway to a world of learning, growth, and memorable experiences for children. As parents, educators, and caregivers, let's not underestimate the power of spending quality time outdoors with the children in our lives. 

Whether it's a simple day at the park, a nature trek, or an exploration of the city's rich biodiveristy, these moments contribute significantly to a child's holistic development.

Looking for the perfect all-in-one outdoor camp for your kids. City Sprouts Kids Adventure Camp has it all. From nature trails at our local nature parks, to hands-on activities and workshops, this 3 day kids adventure camp is the perfect outdoor classroom for your kids!

To learn more about our exciting Kids Adventure Camps, check out our blogpost from our previous kids adventure camp! Sign up for our upcoming Year-End Holiday Edition and secure your kid's spot today!