… and learning to assess and manage risk.

For teachers, this covers CfE Experiences and Outcomes HWB 0-16a – 4-16a.

Making plans for outdoor activities is something that children can and should be involved in from a very young age.  As adults, we plan and prepare for simple things (like going for a walk) without thinking about it.  Include children in your conversations about your plans and let them help.

Part of our plans should include assessing and managing risk outdoors – a very grand way of saying, ‘How are we going to stay safe, happy and healthy outdoors?’

 

We know that being outdoors and regular and frequent contact with nature is important for our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Going for a daily walk is now an even more important part of our routine when access to normal activities is restricted.

First,  choose where you want to go.  It can be fun to look at your walk on Google maps or satellite images to talk about what you might see along the way.

When you have decided where to go, have your conversation about how to stay safe, happy and healthy.   Getting Ready for a Walk  provides some prompts for how to begin the conversation.  Like us, you can write down what you have agreed.

Road Safety Scotland resources can help you reinforce important lessons about staying safe while out and about.