Nature - your biggest ally in Parenting

Why Nature is Your Biggest Ally in Parenting?

Hello, conscious parents! Welcome back to Better Parents, Better Planet. Today, I want to delve into a topic close to my heart and essential for our children's growth: the role of nature in kids' development.

The Magic of Nature

I vividly remember running through a garden full of textures, colors, and scents, wildly happy when I was a few years old. One of my strongest memories from early childhood has not evaporated over time. Years later, I wondered why those early experiences were so intense compared to the present, and whether it was only me who felt that way. After reading Anne of Green Gables, I found my answer. Nature has a profound and magical way of touching our souls, and this is especially true for children. From the rustle of leaves to the gentle flow of a stream, the natural world offers endless opportunities for exploration, learning, and play. Beyond simply being a playground, nature plays a crucial role in the holistic development of our children.

Physical Development

Improved Physical Health
Children who spend time outdoors are often more physically active. Climbing trees, running through fields, and exploring trails help improve their physical fitness, muscle strength, and coordination. Nature play encourages exercise that is fun and effortless, promoting healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

Boosted Immune System
Exposure to various natural elements can strengthen a child's immune system. Fresh air, sunlight, and even benign exposure to dirt and bacteria can help fortify a child's defenses against illness. Studies suggest that kids who play outside regularly have lower rates of certain illnesses, highlighting the immune-boosting benefits of nature.

Cognitive Development

Enhanced Learning and Creativity
The natural environment is the best (and free!) field for sensory experience due to its variety and abundance. Our little ones can touch, hear, smell, and see endlessly, engaging all senses in a pleasant manner. It is also a rich, ever-changing classroom. It stimulates curiosity and creativity, leading to more engaged and effective learning. Building a fort, observing insects, or simply watching the clouds can spark a child's imagination and problem-solving skills. Nature encourages children to think outside the box and see the world from new perspectives.

Improved Concentration and Academic Performance
Studies have shown that regular exposure to nature can improve concentration, reduce symptoms of ADHD, and positively impact academic performance. Children who engage in outdoor activities often return to the classroom more focused and ready to learn, demonstrating how nature supports cognitive functions.

Emotional Development

Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Nature has a calming effect on both adults and children. We know this because mental health institutions use nature therapy and often have large gardens for patients. The sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world can reduce stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of peace and well-being. Children who spend time in nature tend to be happier and more relaxed, creating a foundation for better mental health.

Emotional Resilience
Exploring nature allows children to face and overcome challenges, building their resilience and confidence. Whether it's climbing a steep hill or braving a rainy day, these experiences foster a sense of accomplishment and emotional strength.

Social Development

Improved Social Skills
Even for group situations, nature provides a perfect setting for children to develop social skills. Playing in natural settings often involves teamwork, communication, and cooperation. Children learn to share, take turns, and resolve conflicts more effectively when engaged in unstructured play outdoors.

Enhanced Empathy and Environmental Stewardship
Spending time in nature fosters a sense of presence, as well as empathy and connection to the living world, including themselves. Children who develop a love for the environment are more likely to grow into adults who cherish and protect our planet. This early connection to nature is crucial for raising environmentally conscious individuals. At Better Parents, Better Planet, we are very much aware of that.

The Needs of Highly Sensitive Children

hile every child is sensitive compared to us adults, some kids have a nervous system wired in a way that makes them experience the world in an even more intense manner. This includes a very deep processing of sensory stimuli as well as emotional occurrences. If, like me, you are a parent of a highly sensitive child, you know well what I mean. A highly sensitive child is very attuned to their environment, highly affected by their social and physical circumstances. These children don’t just enjoy spending time in nature, they need it. Getting outdoors provides a peaceful escape from the sensory overstimulation that can occur inside the confines of four walls. Spending time in nature, where they can move freely in their own space, can help a highly sensitive child clear their mind and reset. Highly sensitive children are in tune with the enjoyable sensory experiences that nature provides. They pick up on the soft sounds of birds chirping, a running stream, and insects buzzing. They can appreciate the colors of the flowering buds, trees, and sunsets in the sky and smells like those of flowers or a fireplace burning in the distance. These children can be both a challenge and a blessing for us, but the outcome hugely depends on the environment that we expose them to. Hence, nature plays a crucial role.

Nature: An Antidote for Screen Obsession

Although screen addiction in children often seems stronger than the drive to play outdoors, with our help and consistency, children can develop a rhythm of experiencing nature regularly and reignite the enjoyment of it, appreciating how it makes them feel. Nature becomes an antidote for screen obsession. Scientific research supports this; studies have shown that nature not only provides the moments of peace and quiet that screens often promise, but also offers numerous developmental benefits without the detriments associated with screen time.

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology* found that time spent in nature significantly reduces the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, which is often exacerbated by excessive screen time.

Another research article from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health** indicates that children who spend more time outdoors have lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, compared to those who spend more time in front of screens. This suggests that nature exposure helps alleviate stress and anxiety in children, contrasting the seemingly relaxing, but overall stressful stimuli presented by screens.

Spending time in nature fosters relationship strengthening, memory building, and full engagement with life. Best of all, much of nature is free, providing invaluable experiences at no cost.

If, like me, you have small children who have not yet been introduced to screens, expose them to nature as often as you can so they benefit from its riches before they inevitably enter the world of virtual reality.

Practical Tips to Connect Your Kids with Nature

• Regular Nature Walks
  Make it a habit to take daily or weekly walks in a park, forest, or your neighborhood — whatever is possible for you. Encourage your children to observe, ask questions, and immerse themselves in their surroundings.

• Garden Together
  Starting a garden, even a small one, can be a wonderful way for children to connect with nature. They can learn about plants, seasons, and the joy of growing their own food. The touch and scent of wet soil will be a bonus pleasure for their senses.

• Outdoor Playdates
  Organize playdates in natural settings. The open space and fresh air can make playtime more exciting than staying within the same four walls and are also beneficial for social interactions.

• Nature Journals
  Encourage your kids to keep a nature journal. They can sketch plants, animals, or landscapes, and note their observations. This activity promotes mindfulness and a deeper appreciation for nature.

• Unstructured Play
  Allow your children plenty of unstructured time outdoors from a very early age. Let them walk barefoot on the grass and sand during summer. Let them explore and engage with nature on their own terms, fostering independence and creativity.

  

Conclusion

Nature is an invaluable ally in our children's development, offering benefits that touch on every aspect of their growth — physical, cognitive, emotional, and social. One might also argue that nature has something special that subtly helps them stay connected to their true spirit. By making nature a regular part of their lives, we can help our children grow into healthy, happy, authentic, and mindful individuals. This is one reason why I believe forest kindergartens — more about that in this post — are such a fantastic initiative.

So, let's encourage our kids to step outside, breathe deeply, and discover the wonders of the natural world. As conscious parents (or aspiring to be), we can guide them towards a life rich with connection, curiosity, and care for our beautiful planet.

What impact has connecting with nature had on your family? Have you observed any changes in your child after spending time outdoors? Share your stories and insights with us!

Thank you for reading, and until next time, cherish those moments with your children in nature.

Warmly,

Dori

*Contact with Nature and Children's Restorative Experiences: An Eye to the Future. Frontiers in Psychology [2016]: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01885/full

**Increased Screen Time as a Cause of Declining Physical, Psychological Health, and Sleep Patterns: A Literary Review. Cureus [2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9638701/