00:02These primary school kids have graduated from a different type of class.
00:07In 2024, the Sydney group attended so-called bush school,
00:11learning about the environment through outdoor activities.
00:14My favourite part was going on all the bush books, making the stick cubbies.
00:20We made clay things every day I was there.
00:23I liked all the birds and I liked the noises.
00:26Researchers followed them around for a term as they sang, built and swung around Centennial Parklands.
00:33Some children came in with real sensory sensitivities,
00:36not wanting to touch the mud, not wanting to climb on the tree
00:40and by the end really getting in there, hands covered in dirt.
00:45Now, a study has examined whether nature's teachings can translate back in the classroom.
00:50It doesn't take away from time-compressed teaching, it actually adds to the learning environment.
00:56It enhances, it's like a catalyst.
00:59In just ten weeks, the program helped this group of kids thrive, both in and out of the classroom.
01:05The research found students showed more joy, resilience and autonomy,
01:09and some even improved their mathematics.
01:11The school says the benefits exceeded expectations.
01:14Teachers reported that the students were just so engaged in their explicit lessons
01:21after they'd spent those two hours outside in the bush.
01:24We need trees to live. A tree's my friend.
01:27Important lessons from nature's playground.
01:30We want to play with trees.
01:33Please.
