For Parents
If you're visiting this website, it's probably because either you or your children have some curiosity and interest in spending more time out in nature, and ultimately fostering a better, more connected relationship with nature and our environment.
That's good news, because research shows that there are many physical, psychological and academic benefits for kids who spend time and play outdoors. Kids who regularly play outdoors in nature tend to play more creatively/imaginatively, are generally healthier with lower stress levels, and have a greater respect for themselves, for others, and for the environment.
So how do you get your kids to connect with nature? There isn't a single answer to this question. But there is one thing to remember that will enhance any child's development: if you try to teach someone something, they may never learn it; if you let them discover it on their own, they will likely never forget it.
Here are some tips to help your kids - and you - experience nature in a way that's good for them and the environment:
- If being outdoors is new to you or your child, don't be scared. The natural world is not always a controlled activity, but you can take it slowly at first. Start out in a forest or park, or even your own yard, where you and your child feel safe exploring a little bit. Try planting a garden or simple house plants, and talk about how plants and animals depend on nature to grow.
- Get a basic field guide to help you and your kids learn about nature. Field guides are a great resource for information about a specific area, as well as types of animals and plants.
- Give your kids time and space for free play. Most kids today can't or don't have opportunities to simply go outside and play without supervision or structured activities. But letting them explore and learn on their own is critical to their cognitive development, not to mention their appreciation of the natural world. Let them get their hands dirty. Maybe they'll even learn to appreciate a nice, hot bath!
- Help your children experience nature - on their terms. It's okay to help them discover new things. Turn over a rock or count the different birds you see outdoors. Just be sure to let their imagination go wild and encourage their sense of wonder. Try to experience it as if you are a child. You'll probably find that it's a lot of fun to learn along with them.
- Use your imagination to tap into their interest in nature. For many kids, spending a lot of their time indoors or in structured activities is normal. Use elements of those activities to relate to the natural world. For example, ask how a particular video game or movie character might react to the outdoors. Then show your child how he or she is well adapted to the natural world.
Related information you may find helpful:
- www.greenhour.org
Green Hour is a National Wildlife Federation campaign to help parents give their children a "green hour" each day - a time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. This website provides a weekly parenting publication, rich in family-friendly content, and hosts a virtual community where families can learn, explore, and share their outdoor experiences and backyard adventures. - www.childrenandnature.org
The Children & Nature Network encourages and supports people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature. - www.earthsky.org
EarthSky delivers the voices of scientists to millions of people around the globe via the internet and broadcast outlets. - www.naturalinquirer.org
The Natural Inquirer enables scientists to share their research with middle school students. - www.handsontheland.org
Hands on the Land is a national network of field classrooms connecting students, teachers, and parents to their public lands and waterways. - www.treadlightly.org
Tread Lightly is a nonprofit organization offering a variety of tools to help arm recreationists with essential outdoor ethics through education and stewardship initiatives. - http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/ce/
The Conservation Education program (CE) of the U.S. Forest Service helps people of all ages understand and appreciate our country's natural resources and how to conserve those resources for future generations. Through structured educational experiences and activities targeted to varying age groups and populations, Conservation Education enables people to realize how natural resources and ecosystems affect each other and how resources can be used wisely. - http://www.fs.fed.us/outdoors/naturewatch/
This site, created by the U.S. Forest Service, aims to provide children and adults the opportunity to safely view, and participate in, activities and programs that raise their level of awareness and understanding of wildlife, fish, and plants, and their connection to ecosystems, landscapes and people.
