Outdoor school furniture might be more important than you think. When it comes to a school environment, not many people appreciate just how much furniture is involved. Every classroom needs a teacher’s desk and a desk for every student. Then there’s the countless number of chairs and the seating in the cafeteria. Every piece of that furniture is vital — it’s hard to have a functional learning environment without the right furniture. The importance of furniture extends to outside spaces too, where school benches and other outdoor furniture are also essential. Unfortunately, outdoor school furniture is often not as prioritised as indoor furniture. In the worst cases, it’s an afterthought — something nice to have but not essential. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of outdoor school furniture. We’ll consider how it can impact students’ learning and why it’s such a great idea for teachers and schools alike.
Outdoor Learning
Students participating in outdoor learning show improved academic performance and demonstrate more positive social skills. It’s an opportunity to learn about nature but also a chance to reflect on their behaviours within that setting.
The right outdoor school furniture provides more formal learning spaces while maximising all the advantages of learning outside. Outdoor classes are a way to allow students who may not otherwise have access to nature at home to experience it firsthand. The benefits of outdoor school furniture are even more pronounced in schools with limited resources.
School Value
The benefits outdoor school furniture can bring are wide-ranging. One thing that can’t be ignored is that they help create a more aesthetically pleasing outdoor environment that is attractive not only to students and parents but also teachers. Schools with clean, comfortable outdoor seating look more professional and inviting, which can help recruitment and retention. And because outdoor furniture is also designed to be extremely durable, you won’t have to worry about it breaking or wearing out over time. It can be used for many years without needing any repairs or replacements.
Numerous Designs, Sizes and Colours
You can find outdoor school furniture in a wide range of designs, sizes and colours. There are options for every type of student, no matter their age or needs. Most outdoor school furniture can be height specific too, so it doesn’t matter if you’re planning school outdoor seating for infants, primary school, or secondary school.
You want your students to feel relaxed in the classroom. But you also need them to have the same sense of comfort while outside. Outdoor furniture allows them to do just that while outdoors by adding comfort and relaxation to the space.
Students with special needs may need something more than traditional indoor furniture can provide — and if you’re just dragging indoor tables outside for classes or lunch times, that traditional classroom furniture doesn’t always meet these requirements.
For example, wheelchairs or other mobility aids might require extra space around tables or desks so they can fit comfortably alongside other students without impeding anyone else’s learning experience.
Wheelchair-accessible outdoor tables aren’t just essential when teachers take the learning experience outdoors; they can help with the overall sense of inclusion within a school. Having accessible outdoor seating can improve the educational experience for every student.
The Psychology of Colour
Of course, the psychology of colour is a well-documented subject, and there are plenty of studies on the topic. It’s been proven again and again that adding certain colours to a learning environment can help make it more engaging and interesting to students.
Bright colours also have a huge impact on how well people can concentrate — crucial when you’re teaching in an outdoor environment. When we’re outside, our minds are naturally drawn towards the beauty of the nature around us — but that can leave less mental capacity for paying attention to what’s happening inside our heads.
The Junior Rainbow Octagonal Picnic Table is a great example of how colour can create an atmosphere that works for children in an outdoor learning environment. It’s bright, fun and inviting — it might even help make kids want to go to school!
Encourage Communication and Social Skills
Whether it’s for an outside lesson or just for somewhere to relax during lunch breaks, durable and comfortable outdoor school furniture gives your students somewhere to gather, sit, relax, and socialise. It’s a focal point where learning goes beyond the classroom and into the way we interact with others; an essential skill to learn for students of any age.
Students who feel like they do not belong or are out of place in their regular classroom setting can often feel more comfortable and secure sitting together in groups. They can talk to each other and exchange ideas on what they learned during the day and their feelings about the topics discussed.
Sitting together allows students to learn from one another, which is an important part of being social beings. The teacher can also see this occurring, making them more aware of how their students are doing socially outside class time.
Added Entertainment
Some outdoor school furniture even comes with games already included. Our junior-sized outdoor picnic table has a selection of games that can fit into the top of each table —great fun for the playground, where the kids can choose from chess and draughts or snakes and ladders. Made of aluminium composite sheets, these games are great for keeping children occupied and entertained, especially when there’s a long wait between lessons. These outdoor tables also provide alternative entertainment for students if they’ve finished their work early and are waiting for the bell to go before moving on to their next lesson. The games tables come in a selection of colours, so you can choose one that will blend in with the rest of your playground furniture. Tables are made from hard-wearing recycled plastic.
Great for Teachers
Seating provides a sense of formality, even outside. So when teachers take a lesson outdoors, students will still feel they are in a learning environment, helping ensure they focus on the lesson and are not distracted by the surroundings. The tables are also a great way for teachers to stay organised, with plenty of space for books and paperwork. And let’s remember, teachers supervising the playground also wouldn’t mind somewhere to sit and rest their weary legs!
An Exciting School Landscape
Outdoor school furniture is a great way to make your school more attractive. It helps create a more diverse environment, which is important for students who are used to the confines of their classroom. This can be especially helpful if they have physical disabilities or mental health issues that make focusing on school difficult.
Outdoor school furniture can also inspire teachers and administrators alike to think about how they can create an active atmosphere at school—something that will have lasting benefits on kids’ overall health as well as their academic performance!
Invest in Outdoor School Furniture
We all know education is the key to unlocking a brighter future for our children, and there’s no better way to ensure this than by investing in their learning now. A critical step towards achieving this goal is finding the right outdoor school furniture that will last as long as possible while also helping students be more comfortable when they’re learning. From attracting the best teaching talent to ensuring every child is included in both learning and social activities, the right school outdoor benches and school outdoor seating and tables can transform the look, feel, and energy of an educational facility. If you’re interested in finding out more about the benefits of school outdoor furniture, get in touch with the experts at Earth Anchors.
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