We live in an increasingly technological world. Our children (all of us actually) are spending more and more time indoors interacting with “screens” and less and less time outdoors engaging in the natural world.
Today we experience fewer primary sensory experiences (touching, smelling, hearing, seeing, listening to the natural world, the world in its natural state) than at any time in human history. Terms such as nature deficit disorder and attention restoration theory & nature have become part of the health and wellness conversation!
The science on the health benefits of nature time is becoming undeniable. Research is demonstrating that even small amounts of time in nature can decrease stress, improve mood, enhance immunity, improve cognition, imagination and creativity, foster healthy development, promote healthy vision, and increase focus and attention.
Check out just some of the research: research research research research research research research research
It’s really simple. We all need to put down our devices and get outdoors!!! (Finish reading this first and then put it down and get outdoors!)
Here’s my list of 10 ideas and resources for reconnecting your family to nature.
First and foremost, teach by example! Develop a personal daily practice of spending time outdoors. A good place to start is to match your personal screen time with equal amounts of time outdoors. Sound impossible? Begin by reducing screen time and increasing outdoor time.
Take walks (alone and with the family) around the neighborhood. Develop rituals along the way. Look for birds and listen for birdsong. See how many you can identify. Perhaps purchase or download a good local bird guide.
Create nature discovery hunts in your yard, neighborhood, or park. See how many plants, insects, trees, and animals you can discover. It is amazing how many common “weeds” are in fact wonderful wildflowers. These weeds/wildflowers are important pollinators attracting and nourishing bees, butterflies and other life-spreading insects. Many of these “weeds” are perfect garden foods or even “medicine”. I currently have an ongoing love affair with Bidens Alban, considered by many as a nuisance weed! Don’t know exactly what you are seeing? Learning about what you’ve discovered in your yard and neighborhood is great fun. There are many useful apps and guides to help along the way.
Plant something. Anything. If you are space-limited plant a window box garden or create a miniature indoor greenhouse. Have more space? A vegetable garden, butterfly garden, or any garden using native plants is a wonderful nature experience. Perhaps volunteer with a local organization that plants trees or works restoring habitat in your area.
Spend time at the water’s edge or in the water. Ocean, river, creek, pond, bay — all will do. Go there at different times of the year and see and experience nature in all her seasons
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Get outdoors barefoot. Today’s modern child is shoed from an early age and children and adults alike rarely spend time outdoors barefoot. Research is showing that the benefits far outweigh any risks, especially in toddlers and young children.
Need a transition period? Bring the technology (your phone or camera) with you and begin a simple nature photography practice. Dedicate some time each day to photographing or filming nature. See what you can “discover” while looking for beautiful natural treasures to photograph.
Locate and attend events and performances that are happening outdoors in your area. Parks and botanical gardens frequently have festivals, concerts, and special events that happen outdoors. Support and attend your local gardens and parks regularly as well. Visit local farms and farmers many of which now are offering educational opportunities.
One of my personal favorites: befriend a tree! Spend time with your tree friend as often as possible. Notice how it changes throughout the year and as the years pass! Sit with it. Hang out under it. Hug it! Talk to it! Learn from it!!! Trees teach us how to stay rooted while reaching for the stars!
Join and support organizations such as Sierra Club. They have programs throughout the country bringing local communities together to explore and experience the outdoors as well as specialty travel throughout the world. The Children & Nature Network is connecting children, families, and communities to nature through innovative ideas, evidence-based resources and tools, broad-based collaboration, and support of grassroots leadership. Even better seek out and discover local groups to join and volunteer at.
Do you have ideas or resources to add to this list? I would love to hear them! It is time for us all to interact, protect, and fall deeper in love with nature!
Great advice!