What Nature Teaches Kids That The Classroom Can’t.
By Katie Bonner and Ryan Hilton
According to the New York Post we spend too much time fearing or pitying nature, and not enough time enjoying it.
In 2016 The National Trust revealed that ‘’Children spend only half as much time playing outside as their parents did’’- The Guardian, 2016
The study found, on average, children were playing outside for just over four hours a week, compared to 8.2 hours a week when the adults questioned were children.
We all know that the outdoors is good for us. With the rapid take over of technology it is no surprise that time spent outdoors for this generation is at a record low.
So what can kids learn from their time spent in nature?
Here are 5 benefits of the outdoors on your children’s health, development and general wellbeing. This is why camp is for your kids!
1. Awareness
As children play outside they become ‘at one’ with the environment, which can be witnessed in the simple wonder of watching a child jump into a puddle. They seem aware of what they are doing and in turn often ask meaningful questions about the world around them.
The awareness that is facilitated by children spending more time outdoors can help them live in the moment and be more present.
Time in nature is not leisure time; it’s an essential investment in our children’s health.-NZG
Furthermore their consciousness of environmental impact increases upon interaction with nature. They witness how they can impact a space, both positively and negatively. And in term become more aware of responsibilities they have in looking after our world.
2. Social Skills
Generally, children who attend school are likely to find themselves in a situation where they are placed in rows which often results in a lack of communication and conversational dialogue.
Whereas when children are outdoors they have the unique opportunity to be free and in a sense, be wild. This can result in a breakdown of children’s barriers and an increase in development of social skills can be achieved.
“On a playground, not everyone gets to go down the slide first. Going to a playground with your kids is not just about running around and being active, but it’s also about learning social skills, executive functions, and behavioral skills.”-care.com
3. Expression
With the exception of the more creatively driven classes at schools such as Music and Art, general classes can have a very restrictive approach to learning. Kids can only absorb so much information sitting at a desk.
The outdoors enables opportunity for expression and learning that often being inside just cant provide for kids. Open space provides children with the freedom to explore their senses, to move about and make noise, these are all great ways to relieve any lingering tension, restlessness and stress.
4. Creativity
A stick. A rock. A feather. These objects are all found in nature, when we allow children to enter the natural world and challenge them with using their creativity we see, above all else the unique connections that are made not only between children and nature but also amongst children themselves. It is a space where they can think and act creatively.
Most children do not need challenging when it comes to thinking creatively, however, facilitation is always necessary in order to provide the right environment for success. Whether that be through a direct conversation of aims or an in-direct facilitation of activities (essentially meaning that activities have been planned and the children will complete these in whatever manner they see fit) as such, this means that the children are working creatively.
5. Problem Solving
When it comes to problem solving, often the best way to complete a task that uses this skill is through a kinesthetic hands-on approach. To a large extent the outdoors provides this opportunity.
How many times a day do you think children ask for help before they try and solve problems themselves? The answer would be staggering. However, when children are given the right tools to succeed in problem solving, this can be averted.
Problem solving is about risk- risking failure and also risking trying out new things. A recent study showed this in full scope with “four days of immersion in nature, and the corresponding disconnection from multimedia and technology, increases performance on a creativity, problem-solving task by a full 50 percent,”- Medical Daily.
