All Kids Need Time In Nature

Spending time outdoors improves a child's overall development in many ways.  Young people who spend time in nature are confident, curious, creative, and more resilient than those who spend most of their time indoors.

Time in nature builds confidence and independence by giving children freedom and control over their activities. It sparks curiosity, creativity, and imagination, since unstructured natural environments encourage exploration and invention. Nature also stimulates the senses, promoting alertness and engagement.

Physically, being outdoors increases movement and strengthens the body. Mentally and emotionally, it reduces anxiety, improves mood, and builds resilience. Outdoor activities also teach children to take appropriate risks, gradually increasing their autonomy and leadership skills. In addition, regular exposure to nature fosters environmental awareness and responsibility. Being outdoors in nature inspires a sense of awe and wonder, and children can feel their interconnectedness with the natural world. Read more about the importance of giving kids time outdoors in this week's featured article from Psychology Today magazine.

Title: Stretch To The Sun: From A Tiny Sprout To The Tallest Tree
By: Carrie Pearson
Ages: 5-8
"The tallest known tree on earth is located in Redwood National Park in northern California. More than twelve hundred years old, it is approximately 380 feet tall--and still climbing!  For more than twelve hundred years, a little sprout has grown, survived fires, drought, and logging, and flourished undiscovered. Tall-tree researchers found the tree in 2006 and at more than 380 feet today--and still growing--it's the tallest tree known on earth. A unique, vibrant ecosystem hides high in the coast redwood's canopy: huckleberry bushes, ferns, and mosses grow atop its branches, while salamanders and squirrels scamper from limb to limb, and birds nest and feed their young. In particular, coast redwoods are the only nesting habitat for the marbled murrelet that has recently been reclassified from threatened to endangered. Now protected in Redwood National Park in Northern California, the tree stands as a reminder of nature's strength and fragility--and our ability save an ancient world from destruction." --Publishers

Try out any of these 11 activities that engage young children with nature this week!  Dress for the weather and take the whole family outside for a nature walk.  Look at clouds and imagine a story unfolding.  Plant some seeds in a pot and watch them sprout over time.