It’s evident that my children become restless when confined indoors. Initially, they sulk, but soon enough, they begin creating chaos—toy soldiers scattered across the living room, and epic battles of plastic dinosaurs and Matchbox cars erupting in the playroom. As a homeschooling family, once our lessons wrap up, the pleas begin. “Mom, can we go outside? Please! What are we doing today?” they ask eagerly.
The most favorable option is visiting a nearby park with several ponds. Armed with nets, they pursue tadpoles during this season and bullfrogs later on, catching minnows along the way. They yell, run, leap onto rocks, and splash in the water while I relax beneath a pine tree with my book and dog. Alternatively, we can embark on a hike, ideally to a local spot featuring a waterfall and fossils embedded in sandstone. While there are other hiking options where we can collect rocks or safely observe alligators, the waterfall remains their favorite.
If all else fails, we can head to a local splash pad, although those are primarily concrete, and the kids only enjoy them when it’s hot outside. On weekends, we load up the kayak for my 7-year-old and a canoe for my younger ones, paddling down the river. We engage in these activities because if my active sons, who have ADHD, don’t receive ample outdoor time, the house becomes a whirlwind of chaos, and they end up feeling miserable.
An article by Sam Johnson in The Vancouver Journal cites Richard Louv from the Children & Nature Network, highlighting that children today report increased attention span issues and depression, often leading to more medication use. While I recognize that my sons’ ADHD—and my own ADD and depression—aren’t directly caused by a disconnection from nature, I can’t deny the positive effects it has. My eldest, Ethan, consistently exhibits more focus and calmness on days spent outdoors compared to those spent inside. Likewise, I find myself more productive and content on kayaking days than otherwise.
Johnson points out studies from the University of Illinois indicating that play in “green outdoor spaces” enhances “creative play” and alleviates ADHD symptoms. I know my children thrive when given the freedom to explore a green environment with minimal adult intervention. They relish the opportunity to play with sticks (without the fear of someone warning them about eye injuries), throw pinecones, build forts, and engage in imaginative fishing adventures. Their fascination with water play is undeniable, yet I often have no clue what they’re actually doing—and I believe that’s the point. Nature provides them with the chance to create their own child-centered environment, free from adult instructions and constant supervision.
Harvard professor E.O. Wilson posits that humans are inherently drawn to the natural world, a concept he terms biophilia. This innate attraction is essential for our psychological, physical, and spiritual health. Children require access to green, brown, or rocky spaces (just watch for rattlers!) to foster their growth and creativity. They need to make mud pies and observe trees swaying in the wind.
Structured sports, like soccer practice, don’t suffice. Although these activities take place outdoors, they lack the essence of nature. Nature, by definition, embodies wildness. Children must be allowed to explore this wildness to ignite their own creativity and curiosity, mirroring the endless wonders around them.
While you may hesitate to allow them to build a fire, they can pretend. You might not want to handle tadpoles, worms, or lizards, but provide them with nets for humane catching and enclosures for respectful observation. The more children play together, the better—Louv asserts that when kids interact with each other outdoors, they engage in creative play, developing their own rules and games, which has significantly diminished in urban settings.
We may need to put in some effort—such as finding playmates for our children. Letting go of expectations—like believing Junior should always be busy with math homework or sports—might also be necessary. We may have to join in on the fun ourselves (I found myself stocking bug spray on the porch after discovering the tiger mosquitoes were driving me indoors after just 10 minutes). Embracing dirt, mud, and stickiness is essential. We may also encounter questions about the natural world that we can’t answer, such as, “What’s that mushroom? Is that a fungus? What kind of rock is that?” However, it is crucial to get our kids outside in nature. They deserve it for their well-being—and, frankly, for ours as well.
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In summary, immersing children in nature is vital for their development and happiness. It promotes creativity, relieves stress, and fosters a connection to the environment. Prioritizing outdoor play is essential for nurturing their growth and well-being.
Keyphrase: The Importance of Nature for Child Development
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