Research
There are many benefits of learning outdoors Want to know why we do what we do?
Here’s some recent news and studies in support…
Mental health and wellbeing
In 2022, 18% of children aged 7 to 16 years and 22% of young
people aged 17 to 24 years had a probable mental
disorder.
In children aged 7 to 16 years, rates rose from 1 in 9 (12.1%) in 2017 to 1 in 6 (16.7%) in 2020. Rates of probable mental disorder then remained stable between 2020, 2021 and 2022.
In the last three years, the likelihood of young people
having a mental health problem has increased
by 50%.
The Good Childhood Report 2022 shows that children’s happiness continues to decline. Now, five children in a classroom of 30 are likely to have a mental health problem.
Studies have shown that regular physical exercise such as cycling can increase self-esteem and help to lift stress and feelings of anxiety – potentially improving quality of life and risk of developing mental health problems in the future. Just 10 minutes of cycling could help you to improve your general mood and mental alertness.
The Persil ‘Dirt is Good’ campaign found that children in the UK spend less time outside than the UN regulation for prisoners, this is just 1 hour a day.
Open University’s OPENspace Research Centre, provide considerable evidence suggesting that time spent outdoors, in nature, increases life expectancy, improves wellbeing, reduces symptoms of depression and increases a child’s ability to function in school. Teachers report improved concentration, better ability to focus and learn, increased productivity, better behaviour, and the fostering of more positive relationships between adults and children and amongst peer groups, when children are more active and spend more time outside during the day.
The Need to Ride
Being able to ride a bike is recognised as being an important part of child development in several school surveys yet 43% of children cannot ride a bike by the age of 7, and no provision is made to deal with this (Mori, 2011). This leads to children feeling inferior to others, reduces their self-esteem, limits their independence, opportunities to exercise and to get outside. Additionally, the number of children meeting the recommended amount of physical activity for healthy development and weight drops by 40% as they move through primary school.
The ‘Play on Pedals’ project in Glasgow, a learn to ride project that worked with over 7000 children found that children showed:
- An increase in physical health such as balance and strength
- Improved mental health and wellbeing including noted increases in confidence, self-esteem and sense of achievement.
- Increased focus, concentration, listening and perseverance, as well as resilience and working together as a group.
- Improved relationships between peers as well as between staff and children.
- Increased understanding of healthy lifestyle choices.
Research into creativity, play and learning outdoors
There is a current whirlwind of professors and researchers leading the way in new approaches to children’s education, especially regarding creativity, play and learning outdoors. Here’s just a few that we have found particularly interesting:
Sir Ken Robinson: International author and advisor for education and children’s creativity:
Dr Nilda Cosco: Director of Programs, The Natural Learning Initiative
Professor Welby Ings: international consultant surrounding issues of learning and creativity
Rebecca Benna: Community Promoter
Child Obesity
Figures released by Public Health England (PHE) show:
Health statistics
We take children’s health seriously, it’s time to break these trends and make exercise fun for kids, cycling is in the top 5 sports that children want to do more of
Wyre Forest
%
Reception age overweight/obese
%
Year 6 overweight/obese
%
Adult overweight or obese
Worcestershire
%
Reception age overweight/obese
%
Year 6 overweight/obese
%
Adult overweight or obese
West Midlands
%
Reception age overweight/obese
%
Year 6 overweight/obese
%
Adult overweight or obese
England
%
Reception age overweight/obese
%
Year 6 overweight/obese
%
Adult overweight or obese
In general Wyre Forest District, Worcestershire and West Midlands has higher levels of obesity than average across the country. The problem is getting worse over time as Public Health England (PHE) show over 36% of Year 6 children in the West Midlands/ Worcestershire are overweight or obese in 2023 compared to 32.8% in 2016 with obesity levels increasing between age 5 and age 11.
40-60% of obese school age children become obese adults, which can lead to a range of preventable illnesses including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
The UK comes 6th in a list of 35 countries’ obesity rates, both for adults and children aged 3-17. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) childhood obesity to be one of the ‘most serious public health challenges of the 21st century and one of the biggest health challenges facing England.
Many obese children are reported to have to endure social and psychological problems like negative stereotypes, peer rejection, teasing and discrimination. This can be linked to developing a negative self-image, low self-esteem and even depression.
Contact Us
hannah@opentrail.co.uk
Locations
Open Trail is based in Kidderminster; we work with schools, community groups, families and individuals in Worcestershire and The Black Country, are able to provide our activities on your site, Burlish Bike Park or at local BMX tracks.
