Not only is it nice to be outside in the fresh air, it's good for you! This according to Dr. Meg Houlihan, a Charlotte psychologist. "It's especially beneficial for children, who need to get connected with nature from a young age," she said.For example, when a kid is outdoors without toys, his creativity is called into play. A pile of sand can spark his imagination, and a stick can be anything he wants. He is actively engaging the things in his environment. Nature can be your backyard or window box; small children can spend hours looking at rocks.
In another important benefit of being outdoors, unexpected inhabitants of a park can provide wonder and curiosity for little ones. Here is a low-tech, open-ended game to help them observe things more closely: “What do you see in the woods?" For older kids, their curiosity can lead to research. Ever wondered, what is that bug? Does it sting? Or turn into a butterfly? They can find out at What's That Bug? But they will have to look at their specimen carefully to make a positive identification.
Nature is beneficial for relieving stress. When you go for a walk, or just go outside, you can decrease anxiety. For small children, Houlihan recommends a book to help children understand their feelings: When Sophie Gets Really, Really Angry, by Molly Bang. Going outside and plunking around makes Sophie feel better. That’s what happens to me, too.
Further, a developmental goal for ages 4 to 7 is empathy, knowing how to treat animals and other people. Seeing wildlife in nature and in animal-rescue programs increases children's appreciation for the feelings of other beings. Hands-on caring for pets helps, too.
For exploring, families may enjoy Sharing Nature with Children: a parents' and teachers' nature-awareness guidebook, by Joseph Bharat Cornell. This book has delighted children and adults since it was first published in 1979.
