Making a case for outdoor engagement in environmental studies at Indian schools

Resumo

Literature emphasizes relationships between time spent outdoors by children and their overall health, development and learning. We propose that outdoor engagement be a part of regular school curricula, through the subject environmental studies (EVS). In primary schooling, EVS encompasses an integrated approach to the natural and social sciences and can provide children opportunities to connect with the outdoors - nature and society. Our perspective draws on research literature, the Indian national curriculum framework, objectives of EVS and our preliminary experiences during simple outdoor activities with children. These indicated that outdoor engagement in EVS is practicable in school.