Spending Time in Nature: How it Benefits your Child?

In a world dominated by screens and a fast-paced day to day life, as parents, we constantly desire to show our little ones the world beyond screens. Thanks to technology, our curious little ones are spending most of their time indoors. It is the time when their innate curiosity needs an interaction, which acts as a canvas for them. One of the best ways to let them satiate their natural curiosity is by spending time in nature. 

Children are naturally drawn to nature, attracted by its hues, sounds and sights. Connecting with nature drives the little ones to interact, explore and discover. From getting your child to become physically active to maintaining their overall well-being the benefits of spending time in nature are beyond our imagination. Let’s get into a deeper understanding of how your toddler benefits by spending time in nature. 

Promotes Physical Fitness

Do you remember the glow on your child’s face when you first took him to the park? According to a study, nature play has positive effects on a child’s physical fitness and cognitive development. Children get involved in activities like running, climbing, jumping when they go outdoors, be it a park or a beach. These activities help to develop their gross motor skills, balance and coordination. They learn to navigate through physical hurdles, which builds their confidence and resilience to obstacles. 

Developing Social skills and Emotional wellbeing

When children visit nature regularly, they learn to interact. They interact with nature and with children surrounding them. These initial interactions lay a foundation of your child’s future relationships. A research suggests the benefits of nature to a child’s language, communication and social development. Children become better at verbalizing and expressing themselves without fear. While playing alongside hues of nature, they also observe animals in their natural habitat. This can stir a sense of kindness, compassion and care for other living creatures in their young minds. 

Free and unstructured play that children get by playing outdoors makes them happy and healthy. They become better at getting along. They easily become friends with others and are less likely to suffer emotional difficulties. 

Sensory rich Experiences

Children develop a deep connection with nature because it fosters their curiosity and creativity. It enriches a child’s play and their cognitive development through vast sensory experiences. When a toddler visits nature, they eagerly investigate leaves, pebbles and tiny creatures. They touch and feel the grass, the flowers and the tree barks which develops their sense to touch. From delightful colours of a butterfly fluttering around them to a soothing bird song, each new encounter brings in more surprises which piques their interests to get to know more. They gain a wealth of sensory experiences, which helps in overall development of their senses. 

Boosts Creativity

Spending time in nature is also directly connected with the creativity of your little one. The first thing that grabs their attention is the space and freedom to play the way they want. This limitless exploring allows their creativity to expand. An environment full of distinct colours, shapes and life forms inspires them. They learn to draw pictures, invent games, tell stories and create imaginary worlds with what they see and feel. 

Overall wellbeing

Connecting children with nature has proven to have a positive impact on their mental and overall wellbeing. According to a research children showed improved focus and reduced symptoms of attention deficit. The greenery and the scenic beauty of nature has a soothing effect on your little one. It helps them relax and have fun in their own way. Not only that but spending time in nature also exposes your child to various micro-organisms and friendly bacteria. This helps in boosting their disease fighting capacity contributing to their overall fitness. 

How can I help?

As parents, we always look forward to providing our children with the best opportunities to learn and develop. And with the increasing use of screens among children, it is all the more very important to let them find different yet productive ways to spend time. Connecting with nature helps them uncover new ways to spark their creativity and imagination.

Here’s what you can do to encourage them to spend time in nature:

• Be enthusiastic about outdoors

Your involvement in stepping outside is of big significance in defining your child’s attitude towards nature. When children see you excited to go out in a park, on a nature walk or on the beach, they develop a positive attitude towards these experiences. They embrace the opportunity to explore nature with open arms when you are by their side. 

• Reduce their screen-time

Children below 5 years of age are continually active. They can easily shift focus to other activities. if you effectively manage to take screens away from them. Encourage your children to step away from screens and play outdoors or go for a nature walk. Set rules and time limits for screen-time each day. You can also create screen free zones at your home and also when you go out. Encourage them to talk explore things around when they are in screen free zone.

• Let them play free

Who doesn’t like to play free? No rules, just the freedom of unstructured play and endless imagination of your little one. Let your little one play outdoors with their friends uninterrupted. Supervise them from a distance. Free play enhances they creativity and helps them improve their motor skills. 

• Plan family picnics

In current times, taking a break from the hectic schedules and spending time together as a family is difficult. But it is also important to realize that your little one is growing fast, and they too need a break from the daily hustle just to enjoy and explore the outside world. Family quality time not only makes them happy but also instils positive behaviour in them. 

Give them a break from the regular routine by planning picnics or family get together to nearby biodiversity rich places. Go on a nature walk or bird watching with them. Capture their gleaming faces while they have fun and make memories of a lifetime.

• Take one step at a time

As a parent, it takes time, persistence and creativity to get their children involved in nature play. Screens are a temptation for children and to let them step away from these is a challenging task for parents. Start out small by grabbing their attention to a nearby park. Go out on a walk with them show them the little creations of nature and the colours around. Find out what grabs their attention. Next time try to engage them in an activity that engages them and helps them connect with nature. 

Every experience in nature is a learning adventure your little one. They learn about seasons, they watch and observe how plants grow and flower, how the river flows, what makes the bird sing and what not. They expand their senses beyond sight and discover new things by slowing down. Indulge them to explore their love for nature for a lifelong passion for learning and discovery.