For children to truly engage at school, they need regular sensory resets and variety from their classroom environment. Wondering how to improve attention span in children? Then you’re in the right place. While sitting at a desk all day may seem mandatory, there are plenty of ways schools can keep kids engaged in the classroom.
Here at A&S Landscape, we supply educational facilities with bespoke school canopies. You might not yet realise it, but a school canopy can offer much more than just shelter! In this blog, we’ll explore how one of our canopies can improve attention spans and provide pupils with a safe, focused environment.
Let’s get into it!
Why do attention spans in children need improving?
Today, children are growing up in an era of constant access to quick, short hits of technology. Whether that’s through games, TV shows, or videos available on smartphones and tablets, everything is easily accessible in quick, short-form snippets. Because of this, and the impact that COVID-19 had, children’s attention span is now apparently shorter than ever.
If pupils are used to accessing their smartphones at home, this can become a problem when they come to sit down in the classroom. Teaching and learning move much more slowly than a screen, with children having to fully engage and listen to what the teacher is saying, without any distractions.
But what is the solution?
How does a canopy improve attention span? Why green time beats screen time!
Of course, canopies can protect students from the Great British weather, but as well as offering ultimate weather protection, there’s so much more that they can help with. In fact, we believe that there is a direct correlation between learning in nature and improving mental health in schools.
Whether you’re using a canopy as an outdoor classroom or need an outdoor dining solution, our bespoke designs provide children with that connection to the outdoors and that much-needed reset time, which can help to improve attention spans.
Here are some more reasons why a canopy can be extremely beneficial for improved attention spans:
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Managing sensory overloads
There’s no denying that classrooms can be sensory overloads! With bright, white lights, constant chatter, and crowded desks, it can be easy for some pupils to feel overwhelmed and unfocused. Why not take lessons outdoors? Our canopies, especially a straight roof canopy, can flood areas with natural light, reducing eye strain and making pupils feel more alert and ready to learn.
Plus, a change in environment can be enough to reset their attention span. Outdoor lessons are a nice change from indoor learning, and a chance for children to tune in more.
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Giving pupils the chance to breathe
Children’s brains have only a limited amount of directed attention, which is the kind needed for reading, writing, and following instructions. Once this is all exhausted, it can lead to children becoming irritated and distracted. A canopy provides them with a space to go for a break and direct their attention to the sounds of the outdoors instead.
Spending time underneath a canopy can provide soft fascination… Pupils can pay attention to the movement of trees or the light reflected off one of our coloured roof canopies, allowing their brain to reset and recover.
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Physical regulation
If a child’s mind is restless, then their mind simply cannot be still. Without a canopy with sides and doors, children might be forced to spend breaktimes (their only chance to spend time outdoors) inside the classroom. This trapped energy might manifest as poor behaviour and a bad attention span, making them feel less focused in their afternoon lessons.
One of our covered outdoor spaces ensures that, come rain or shine, students still have the opportunity to regulate their physical energy, allowing them to sit still and pay attention later in the day!
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Offering fresh air
Stuffy, overheated classrooms can lead to brain fog or lethargy, and this can result in a lack of concentration and a decline in cognitive performance. An investment in an outdoor canopy gives pupils a nice, bright space to enjoy breaks, without worrying about sunburn or overheating.
Our fabric canopies are the perfect solution. Made from supportive shade cloth fabrics, they are perfect for shading pupils during hot heat waves and sunny days, letting them still enjoy the benefits of the sun’s rays without being exposed to the harsh UV. This results in them feeling less tired and more ready to concentrate once they’re allowed back into the classroom!
Find out how one school’s canopy transformed lesson times
All Saints Academy, in Plymouth, wanted to enhance its outdoor facilities with a sports canopy solution that could be dedicated to sports lessons and after-school clubs. They were after a fully enclosed solution that would protect students from harsh weather conditions, as well as being functional enough to play their favourite sports.
Our solution: The Covered MUGA™. This durable and sturdy solution was perfect for the academy, as it offers pupils the opportunity to play sports all year round, no matter the weather! One of the biggest enemies of a child’s attention span is a lack of physical movement. With a MUGA canopy, we ensure that students are getting the high-intensity physical activity that they need to reset their brains for the lessons ahead, even if it is raining outside.
Read the full case study here.
Invest in your pupil’s wellbeing with A&S Landscape
And there you have it… Some insightful ways to improve attention span with an outdoor canopy. Improving attention spans doesn’t just have to be about cutting down on screen time (although this definitely helps!) In school environments, it’s about creating a space where pupils can focus, learn, and feel inspired.
Here at A&S Landscape, all of our bespoke canopy solutions aim to do just that. For 50 years, we’ve built trusted relationships with schools all across the country, creating safe and functional outdoor spaces.
Unlock the full potential of your outdoor space. Get in touch with our team for a free quote today!
