Children and nature...

What does it mean to be connected with nature? The feel of grass beneath your feet, the rain on your face or even the sensation of beach sand running through your fingers  - all of these things are part of our relationship with nature. When was the last time you went outside to simply sit and listen to a morning chorus of birds or to the steady rumble of wood frogs in some distant forest pool? For many of us these experiences are simply brief escapes, moments of peace in an otherwise busy and stressful day, but for our children these moments are the world. Taking the time to introduce our children to nature and to educate them about the wonders of the environment they live in allows them to develop a sense of place, an understanding of the natural world that will continue to teach and inspire them for a lifetime.

As a society we are losing our connection to nature. Studies have shown that the time we spend outside helps to alleviate stress while also providing benefits to our mental and physical health. Even just taking five minutes a day to engage with the natural world can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Children, as well as adults, benefit from time outdoors. Youth who are given a chance to interact with nature on a regular basis demonstrate increases in academic ability, greater self esteem and lower instances of health issues related to physical inactivity. The natural world is part of our heritage and if our children grow up without the chance to develop a relationship with the land that they live on, who will be there to preserve and protect this resource for future generations? It is up to us to make opportunities for youth to experience the natural world so that someday they may do the same for their children.