Learning Through Nature

Over the last few years, children have been spending more time on their smartphones, tablets and iPads – playing games rather than connecting with nature. We now see the consequences children have suffered – more stress, anxiety, obesity and ADHD. Many parents have come to recognize that spending time in nature is a must, not just for health, but to improve their ability to learn and be more creative.

With little to no after school activities available, many parents have asked me for advice during lockdown: How can I bring nature back into my children’s lives, both outdoors and indoors?

Here’s what I have been telling them:

• If you have a garden, carve out a small space for them to call their own where they can plant flowers or vegetables and then decorate it with whatever they like. It is to be their own personal area. This helps them get accustomed to feeling the soil, learning about flowers and to have a deeper connection with how nature works.

• If you do not have a garden, use an indoor potted plant that they help create, starting with planting the seeds.  They are responsible for watering and nourishing their plant,  watching over it as it grows.

• This gives them the space to explore, touch, care, and nurture their own little piece of nature.

• If you’re able to spend time outside, take a walk to try and find and collect leaves or wildflowers to take home for your child to create a scrapbook with. This will allow them to research and learn more about some of the wonderful things found in nature. For example, did you know dandelions, which we love to pick and blow the thistles off of, are considered a herb by botanists, and their leaves, stems, flowers and roots can all be used for medicinal purposes?

• Another great activity to do with your child is to look through nature picture books to learn all about the different types of plants, trees, flowers, bugs, shells and rocks – and then go out exploring to see what you can find! Have your child draw or paint some of these items they found for their scrap book.

These are wonderful mindfulness activities for children that help them focus in the moment and to connect to everything around them, which in return reduces stress and anxiety, and promotes better sleep.

Check out my Mindfulness in Nature videos – they’re perfect for those who sometimes don’t have the time to get outside daily in nature.