Ahead of Children’s Mental Health Week, Merrick Denton-Thompson explains why we must maximise the potential of our school grounds to support children’s mental health.
As we all try to keep our New Year’s resolutions, one critical resolution needs our immediate attention: nurturing the mental health and wellbeing of our children. Every year, we’re seeing that mental health challenges among children and young people are reaching unprecedented levels. However, we also know that a simple solution lies within reach — literally right outside our classrooms in the green spaces of school grounds.
School grounds can offer a powerful antidote to the anxieties plaguing our youth. Research consistently shows that time spent in nature improves mental health, boosts learning outcomes, and fosters crucial social and emotional development. School grounds, when reimagined, become safe havens where children can connect with each other, build resilience through hands-on exploration, and discover the calming influence of the natural world.
In our first blog post of 2024, Merrick Denton-Thompson, founding trustee of Learning through Landscapes, argues that these underutilised areas hold the key to unlocking a healthier future for our children.
Posted On: 09/01/2024
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