Creativity and outdoor education in primary schools: a review of the literature

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the connections between creativity and outdoor education in primary schools by reviewing the studies published over the past ten years in order to build a framework for this emerging field of research. We reported a scoping review of 55 pieces of educational research and professional literature relating to creativity, outdoor education and primary school (R1 group), outdoor education and primary school (R1a), and creativity and primary school (R1b). The search highlighted the importance of the following factors in supporting possible links amongst the reviewed topics: similarities in contextual features, use of materials, need for perseverance, the role of explorative approach, the importance of play and “slow time”, the role of adults, and the value of the theory of affordances. In particular, the latter had potential to build a theoretical framework within both of the topics. Potential implications and future directions are also proposed.