Connecting with nature helps us care for ourselves and the earth.
A growing body of evidence indicates that for humans to thrive in harmony with nature, we need to understand the importance of integrating it into our lives. People of all ages who participate in nature-based activities tend to be happier and healthier than those who do not.
“Nature play is when children are provided with the opportunity to engage in unstructured play activities in outdoor settings where natural elements feature, such as logs, rocks and water, as opposed to conventional manufactured play equipment. It is when children create their own play using natural features” says Associate Professor Janet Dyment from the School of Education at the University of Tasmania
Playing in and with nature is a simple yet powerful activity that can provide enormous benefits for children. If you complement playing in nature with learning outdoors, the children in your family, your care or your class have the potential to develop into resilient, happy and engaged people.
So, take your children outside into a park, the yard, the beach, some bushland and let them be themselves, allow them to play, explore, challenge themselves, discover and create. Don’t take anything with you and encourage and support their play when they want you too.
Let nature do the talking and the nurturing.
