HOW TO SPEND MORE TIME IN NATURE

There are many benefits to spending time outside that help children become better learners. This includes getting them to think. Kids are naturally curious, and spending time outside gets them to ask questions about nature and the world around them.

It also encourages creativity and imagination. While outdoors, they have more room to move and naturally become more inventive with unstructured play. There are multiple ways to encourage more outdoor time.

1. Do indoor activities outside: Put together an outdoor space where indoor activities can be done outside. Such as reading, schoolwork, art, playing with toys, playing games, snack time, meal time, etc.

2. Incorporate nature into your children’s play area: provide play areas such as water and sand tables and mud kitchens that incorporate loose parts (these are open-ended materials that encourage imagination) such as flowers, leaves, sticks, pinecones, acorns, mud, rocks, wood slices, blocks, empty containers, old dishes, etc.

3. Plan family outings that involve nature: nature walks and hikes, camping, picnics, going to the beach, zoo, or aquarium. During these outings, encourage your children to bring a journal and jot down notes, draw pictures, or take pictures with a camera.