Connecting kids with nature is one of the best gifts we can give them. It’s simple really - take the kids outside into nature and play. We don’t need lots of equipment, money or resources - just our bodies, our imagination and our time.
Kids love splashing in puddles, rock hopping down a river, making mud pies, climbing trees, and exploring wild spaces. While the kids are playing, the are of course learning an enormous amount. I loved being outside as a kid, my kids do too. Playing in nature is actually essential for kids healthy physical, emotional and mental development. It helps them connect with themselves, others and the environment in a respectful and creative way.
Children thrive on opportunities to freely explore natural spaces, create imaginary worlds, build amazing cubbies from found ‘stuff’, get absolutely muddy, splash in the creek and collect tadpoles. In our permaculture garden and village, the kids do this - sometimes a whole tribe head out to explore areas. I was starting to take this for granted then remembered it’s not the norm.
Sadly more and more children spend much of their time either indoors, on screens, or in organised activities. There is a term for this - Nature Deficit Disorder, coined by Richard Louv 10 years ago - not a medical condition, but a metaphor. However paediatricians are now prescribing nature and research around the world shows that more time spent in nature reduces symptoms of ADHD and depression, and improves mental cognition and creativity.
This year I started running Nature Kids (an Ethos Foundation program) to bring children together to play in the natural spaces of our ecovillage - exploring, climbing, creating, making, painting, dancing, running, splashing - sharing what our local kids do naturally all the time. It struck me that a lot of other kids in the region would love to do this too. The whole focus is to have a fun and enriching time, connecting children with each other and the amazing world around us.
The need for the program was made obvious. Within 36 hours of putting the first Nature Kids event up on facebook - it filled, same each time. Both the kids and the parents have made lots of new friends and it’s strengthened our homeschooling network too.
When they first arrive, the kids sense the freedom. They run here and there, scream and burn off steam. After a while though I see them settle - they start to observe, explore and interact. Many parents who have children with behavioural issues tell me that in this natural context their kids seem so much more at ease in themselves.
The things I noticed about the kids, and the observations from other parents is backed up by a growing body of research. For example, the University of WA has found that natural play-spaces help kids build better gross-motor skills, improved cognitive function, increased creativity, improved interaction with adults, reduced attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and reduced rates of aggression.
The Children & Nature Network report on the impact of nature education and educational settings found that:
Children who play regularly in natural settings are sick less often.
Children who spend more time outside tend to be more physically active and less likely to be overweight.
Children who play in natural settings are more resistant to stress; have lower incidence of behavioural disorders, anxiety and depression; and have a higher measure of self-worth.
Children who play in natural settings play in more diverse, imaginative and creative ways and show improved language and collaboration skills. Single use, repetitive play equipment becomes boring quickly.
Natural, irregular and challenging spaces help kids learn to recognise, assess and negotiate risk and build confidence and competence.
Children who play in nature have more positive feelings about each other.
Bullying behaviour is greatly reduced where children have access to diverse nature based play environments.
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder are reduced after contact with nature.
