Children and Nature

by

Monitoring the Water

Children and Nature

Children observe nature with a sense of wonder.  Fascinated by everything they see, they are eager to explore. In today’s world, too often children’s time in nature is limited. Overscheduling school and extra curricular activities or concerns over perceived threats ranging from stranger danger, skin damage from too much sun, and mosquito bites that might carry West Nile virus have children spending too much of their free time indoors in front of a computer or television screen.

According to the Texas Children in Nature organization (http://texaschildreninnature.org) studies have shown that children who spend time in nature:

  1. Are healthier physically and mentally
  2. Do better in school
  3. Have higher self-esteem
  4. Have good self-discipline
  5. Feel more capable and confident
  6. Are good problem-solvers
  7. Are more cooperative with others
  8. Are more creative
  9. Feel connected with nature
  10. Are tomorrow’s conservation leaders

The Children and Nature Organization (http://www.childrenandnature.org) encourages teachers to take students outside because:

  1. Nature is everywhere!
  2. School grounds and nearby nature provide a low to no cost setting for effective teaching and curricular integration.
  3. Nature enhances academic achievement.
  4. Nature-based activities improve student behavior.
  5. Students are motivated to learn when content is connected to nature.
  6. Outdoor learning promotes communication.
  7. Students improve cooperation skills when they spend time outside.
  8. Nature helps students focus, including ADHD students.
  9. Students are healthier and happier when they spend time outside.

There are a number of books for parents that will both help them understand the importance of “nature time” and enhance their children’s nature experience as well.  Joseph Cornell’s book, Sharing Nature with Children offers many sensory and physical activities to nurture a love of the natural world.  Silent Spring writer, Rachel Carson, wrote The Sense of Wonder for children to encourage parents to introduce their kids to the wonder of nature and to help them search for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring.  Last Child in the Woods: saving our Children from Nature Deficit by Richard Louv provides the research that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical growth of children and adults. Janet Kirkland’s book, No Child Left Indoors: Creating a Field Guide to your Schoolyard, presents information for parents and teachers to understand the plants, animals, and insects found in schoolyards.

Ranger Rick and Ranger Rick, Jr. magazines bring beautiful photographs, nature stories and activity opportunities into your home throughout the year.  National Geographic Kids magazine has a panel of children that provide input as to what kids really want to see in their magazine.

Fiction books also inspire a sense of wonder in the world around us through their human characters or through stories of animal families.  The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Dr. Jacqueline Kelly won the 2010 Newberry Honor Award.   Dr. Tate will be the guest speaker for the Good Water Chapter Master Naturalist May meeting on Thursday, May 23, 2013.  Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. with Dr. Tate beginning her presentation at 7:00 p.m. Visitors are welcome.

Other fictional nature oriented books include: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, Wild Animals I have Known by Earnest Seton, Flotsam (Caldecott Award Winner) by David Wiesner, and Old Mother West Wind by Thornton W. Burgess.

Poetry books such as Wild Song: Poems of the Natural World edited by John Daniel and Joyful Noise by Paul Fleischman also enrich a child’s appreciation of the world around us.