By Josh Budd
Correlation found between kids who go on caravanning holidays and those who achieve at school
Working alongside the Camping and Caravanning Club, Plymouth University carried out studies regarding whether family holidays in the great-outdoors could have a significant impact on your child’s health, happiness and academic ability, and the results are positive.
During their studies, Plymouth University discovered that more than four out of five parents believed that holidaying in the great-outdoors has a positive effect on their children’s success in school.
The University also asked children what they particularly enjoyed about camping and caravanning – with meeting new friends, learning new skills and having the freedom to play outside being the most popular answers.
Ninety-eight per cent of parents believed that camping and caravanning helped kids appreciate and connect with nature, and ninety-five percent confirmed that this connection made them happier as a result. Ninety-three per cent said that such holidays develop useful skills for later life.
In an effort to launch their new Get Kids Camping programme, president of the Camping and Caravanning Club Julia Bradbury, spoke about the positive impact nature-holidays can have on the well-being of children:
“Taking the kids camping is such a great experience for the whole family. We have masses of beautiful scenery on our doorstep in the UK, and camping doesn’t have to be expensive.
“It’s a brilliant way of getting kids out in the fresh air, away from the TV and computers – developing their brains and teaching them to interact with each other and the countryside in different ways.
“If you haven’t taken your family camping, give it a go – it’s an adventure that won’t disappoint you.”
Associate professor at Plymouth Institute of Education, Sue Waite, who led the study, concurs that children who engage with nature experience greater success in key school subjects such as geography, history, and science.
She said: “Interestingly, the parents surveyed believed camping supported the key curriculum subjects of geography, history and science and actually, that stacks up, because the most common camping activities were natural, like rock pooling and nature walks, where children are getting to understand ecosystems and identify lifeforms, respecting nature and the environment.”
Parents who take their children caravanning can watch their kids enjoy a special sense of freedom in a completely safe environment, as they make new friends and explore safely on their own.
There you have it – Plymouth University reveals that caravanning in the great outdoors positively impacts your children’s learning ability.
Of course, us avid caravanners have always known that the great-outdoors is good for our kids; it gives them the opportunity to interact with nature, develop their social skills, and nurture their inquisitive and curious minds – there’s simply nothing better for them!
