What is even the point? It takes too much work and effort…why am I doing this again? Why bring children outside?
What if someone gets hurt? Did you bring all of their medication? Does everyone have the right clothing? What if it starts to rain? Does anyone need to get picked up early for an appointment? What if they have to pee? What if I have to pee?
David Suzuki, author of The Sacred Balance, talks about the necessity of spending time in our natural environment for the sake of connection.
“If we do not see ourselves as part of the natural world and become further detached, we risk a greater sense of loneliness, a lack of meaning, purpose, and sense of belonging. Without experiences in nature, we develop ignorance and apathy.”
“The place where we spend most of our lives molds our priorities and the way we perceive our surroundings. A human-engineered habitat of asphalt, concrete, and glass reinforces our belief that we lie outside of and above nature, immune from uncertainty and the unexpected of the wild.” pg. 261
Suzuki’s intensity of belief for a necessary human existence outdoors resonates with me. In fact, it has kept me in this profession of teaching. I find purpose in what I’m doing.
There is a bit of nitty gritty to getting outside with children. There are questions you have to answer. You need to bring their meds (depending on how far you are traveling), you need to pee before you go and remind your kids to do the same, and you need to make sure no one is leaving early that day, and kids have enough clothing/gear to feel comfortable outside. Those things need to be taken care of. But, once you get in that habit, you’re set. The next hurdle is two-fold: Your administration’s support or lack thereof, and your own persistence in dealing with not only that but the strength it takes to actually get outside. You might hear a voice in your head that says something like, “Not today. You’re too tired for this. Not today. It’s too cold. Not today, We have too much to do in the classroom.”
You have to work through those voices and realize that what you are doing makes a difference for your students. It makes a difference for you! Check in with your mood when you exit and when you enter back into the building. Has it shifted? Why do you think that was? Is it because you feel your work is purposeful? Because Johnny had a great afternoon? Because you just spent a couple hours breathing in fresh air? It could be all of these or none of these, but I bet it’s something.
What keeps you going outside despite all of the hurdles? If you have a story or tidbit to share, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts.
Outdoor Learning with Weslie 