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National position statement on outdoor play sees signatories double at 2 year anniversary

The national position statement on outdoor play and learning hits its 2 year anniversary this month – and the number of signatories signing up to this collective ambition has more than doubled.

Two of the latest signatories, Scottish wildlife Trust and Clackmannanshire Council join over 100 organisations who recognise playing and learning outdoors as an everyday activity is vital for  childhood health and wellbeing, but also creating that connection to nature and our fragile natural world.

Ruchir Shah, Director of External Affairs, Scottish Wildlife Trust:

“We’re delighted to support the National Position Statement. Outdoor play and learning are incredibly important ways to learn about, and appreciate, the natural world which is vital for our everyday lives. Lockdown has highlighted both the value of having high-quality green spaces on our doorstep, and that there is unequal access to such places.

“The Scottish Wildlife Trust is working to improve access to nature on many of our wildlife reserves and through our Living Landscape and Living Seas partnerships. We also connect people with Scotland’s wildlife through engagement work with schools across Scotland and our network of Wildlife Watch groups.” 

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of the outdoors with many of us now feeling better, happier and healthier being outside.

Schools are now looking at their outside spaces, those within the school grounds and others venturing further into their communities. Making use of their local parks, open spaces and greenspaces to support the curriculum, and enabling that vital play and learning to take place.

The outdoors have never been more important at this time, after months of limited mobility and increased sedentary behaviours being outside affords more space to move, to increase levels of physical activity ultimately supporting better health. Furthermore the outside world is incredibly dynamic, affording wide ranging learning opportunities for children and teachers to explore.

Clackmannanshire Council noted

“…..we understand clearly the benefits that learning and playing outside has on our children. It supports better health, well-being and creates a sense of understanding and valuing our natural world and of connection to our local spaces, communities and greenspace. This is why we are developing outdoor learning in our establishments and support the national position statement on outdoor play and learning.”  

Inspiring Scotland’s Thrive Outdoors  team played a pivotal role in the development of the National Position Statement on Outdoor Play launched by Minister for Childcare and Early Years in 2018 and are pleased to see the continued support and recognition on the importance of outdoor play.

If you would like to read the statement and all the research evidence that supports this please click here and if you would like to see the full list of current signatories then the list is here