Listen to the podcast, Outdoor Spaces.
Nature on its own is a powerful tool to learn. Nature is a classroom. Extended periods of outdoor time increases attention, yes, INCREASES attention in children. It aids in behavior, activates creative development and all senses are activated in nature.
- What do you see?
- What do you smell?
- How do different things feel outdoors?
- Use taste to parental discretion.
Each new visit, even in your own backyard can nurture curiosity, build comfort in the outdoors and open the mind to new ideas.
Teach-Learn-Love
If heading out into the great outdoors is a new concept for you or your children, start small. Head to a nearby park that has facilities such as a playground, trail, and bathrooms. Start with the playground to get everyone moving and comfortable in the space. Then do a specific activity. Looking for birds, playing a game or do a scavenger hunt. Next, have a snack together and talk about what you saw and did. Finally, pack it up and go home. Build your outdoor experience over time if it is not a part of your family’s lifestyle.
Dirt is Good
Using nature as a classroom may take time. As children get more comfortable with being outdoors, allow them to go all in. Getting dirty and playing in the grass or on a trail has powerful benefits that outweigh the cleanup. Muscles are built by running, climbing and even rolling outdoors. Upper body strength is on a downward spiral due to indoor activities in our modern society. Use the space at a park to exercise and disperse the energy children build up during the day.