Academic Benefit of Field Trips
Field trips are an enriching element of learning. Getting out of the classroom into a new environment enriches the learning experience. Traditional field trips including visits to museums, concerts or performances, or other culturally rich experiences which provide awhole-hearted educational experience. Incorporating these outings into the curriculum is vital to each child's development.
Stepping outside the classroom and allowing children to gently move beyond their comfort zone helps to build awareness of others and themselves. It is a window into a larger world, encouraging children to think about the world around them and develop a connection to another environment with which they might not otherwise engage. In some grander outings, differences can be as varied as the primary spoken language, cultural food items, and weather conditions.
The amount of effort to plan field trips outweighs the benefits that children and adults receive. Paige Tutt wrote for Edutopia that these experiences "deliver a host of positive social and academic outcomes and are worth the effort." Tutt continues, "especially those whose parents have a harder time accessing these experiences on their own." These cultural, social, and academic experiences are a common thread in seeing children succeed in the classroom and beyond.
A study done jointly with BYU, Johns Hopkins University, and the Heritage Foundation, examined the value of field trips. The study was published in The Journal of Human Resources, and "found that students who participate in multiple field trips during the school year have higher test scores, perform better in class, and have increased cultural conscientiousness over time." Students performed higher on year-end exams, were absent less often, and improved classroom behavior were additional findings of the study.
Knowing that field trips are such an integral part of a well-rounded education, Cedarwood incorporates experiential education excursions into the school day regularly. Starting in early childhood our youngest children enjoy walking through the park and our neighborhood streets, learning about the natural habitats in our neighborhood. Our Grades students travel overnight to local farms, up to Mt Hood, and further afield to Ekone Ranch where they learn about caring for the land and have the opportunity to care for and ride horses as well. Middle School students embark on adventures to Outdoor School, exploring the High Desert and even sailing for three nights in the Salish Sea.
These field trips are key to the Waldorf approach of supporting children in their development and allowing for the discovery of beauty and wonder. Academic and personal development are at the forefront of Cedarwood Waldorf School's goals in cultivating a whole-hearted life. Our faculty creates these outings to complement the curriculum in the classroom, and to gain perspective of our larger world.
If you are interested in learning more about our curriculum firsthand, please schedule a tour. If you would like to read the article used in this post, you can read the entirety of the article, "Yes, Field Trips Are Worth the Effort"