Continuity of outdoor learning across early childhood development in Saudi Arabia: barriers, hindrances, and opportunities

This discussion article investigates barriers to outdoor learning implementation in Saudi early childhood education. Early childhood education includes kindergarten and the first 3 years of primary school, from the age of 3 to 8-years old. The Saudi Ministry of Education Early Learning Standards mandate daily outdoor learning activities for children 3 to 6-years old attending preschools or kindergartens. This practice also aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 focus on fostering creativity, innovation, and resilience in the nation’s children. However, while outdoor learning is curriculum-based in kindergarten practices, Saudi primary schools are exempt from this requirement. We argue outdoor learning benefits should be available to all children throughout early childhood education from 3 to 8 years of age to promote continuity. In this article, we discuss the main hindrances to implementing outdoor learning in the Saudi kindergarten and primary school contexts. Examples of the practical use of outdoor learning in primary schools are provided.