Raising kids to embrace the natural world amid a tech-loving age is not an easy feat. Even the mum who founded the ‘365 Outside’ movement, which invites participants to spend time outside every day regardless of the weather, admits as much. She knows that it’s more than just marching the kids out the door daily; it’s kindling in them the love of nature.
Connecting your child to the environment not only expands their play experience, but it also contributes to their development. Outdoor exploration has its documented benefits to one’s physical and mental health－sharper thinking, stress relief, and better vision to name a few.
Kids won’t learn to love the great outdoors overnight. Reinforcing the importance of time spent outside is not easy, but it’s also not that hard. One way to do so is to create nature-centered family traditions. Pick something that you can ease, not force into your daily routine. Mother.ly writer Kate Koch-Sundquist suggests organizing family strolls or runs. Set up Sunday morning walks. Make some room for dessert by walking after that sumptuous dinner. You can always start small and try something new if these don’t work for you.
Another way is to nurture a sense of awe and curiosity. There’s so much to see and experience in this world. Often, we miss the small yet beautiful details because we’re busy rushing from one place to another. We don’t realize that a season has come and gone with all it has to offer.
Try to be aware of these subtleties and draw your kids’ attention to them. Point out the butterflies that go about the wildflowers scattered along the footpaths you’re taking. Watch the sky change colours as the sun begins to set in the horizon. Bask in the lingering warmth as winter approaches. Encourage your kids to notice and appreciate these small details we usually take for granted.
You can also inspire your kids to go on their own adventures by sharing your own with them, be it through stories or with photos. Recall the time you tried surfing and battled the waves, or the breathtaking view at the end of that hike you went on with your friends. Discuss what outdoor activities you would probably enjoy doing together, and plan on how you can make them happen.
Nature provides a scope for the imagination. Unlike playgrounds where man-made entertainment is available, nature lets kids go wild with creativity. A stick can stand for a gallant knight’s sword, bushes the home of fairies and dwarves, or trees as majestic towers. You’ll be surprised at how good unstructured outdoor exploration is as an environment where kids can learn through personal experiences.
Another way to raise nature-loving kids is by bringing the outdoors indoors. Fire your children’s interest in nature by surrounding your home with plants, or introducing fiction or non-fiction books which can answer your questions about the natural world, from the most vibrant critters under the sea to the ever-changing clouds in the sky.
It’s easy to get dragged into this world’s way of rushing from one point to another, forgetting that we, and even our kids, have years ahead of them to be hounded by responsibilities of adulthood. Reconnecting them with nature would ensure that the younger generation knows that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
Comments
Post a Comment