When we were kids, we would climb up the trees, we chased butterflies, and threw rocks in the puddles. While we were doing these activities, we never knew it could have any benefits for our development. When kids these days ask to sign up for nature activities for kids, parents back out thinking that it could hurt their child and they can get sick. They could also be attacked by bees and animals. The terrain for exploring nature isn’t soft either.
But if your child doesn’t fall, get hurt, or have scratches, how will they ever learn the life lessons that they will need in their future? The activities of nature for kids will contribute to their physical, mental, and social growth. It will nurture and teach your children lessons that no classroom could ever teach. What better way to learn about geography and science than experiencing it with your senses in real life? Nature has a way of teaching them things that they never thought were possible.
If you wish to know what the benefits of natural activities are for your children, then you can read on.
Benefits of engaging in nature for kids:
1. STEM skills
STEM skills are learned by doing nature activities for toddlers. They can observe, witness, feel, smell, and see things in nature. They will be baby scientists and witness things that are printed in books in real life. The STEM skills involve the problem-solving and analytical skills that the child will gain through carrying out researches in the garden.
2. Resilience and confidence
When the child is out and about in nature, they continuously consider a problem, come to a hypothesis, carry out the research, and then come to a conclusion. Their minds are always thinking, growing, and expanding. The activities of nature for toddlers will allow them to measure the distance between two rocks before they jump. They will also inquire why certain bees are seen in the day, whereas, others in the night. This continuous problem solving, thinking, and gaining insights will cause them to be confident in their decisions. And for the times they fail, they will develop inbuilt resilience to overcome it.
3. Freedom
When the child is at home, they are restricted in their movements and expressions. They can’t lie down in the middle of the hall and then scream. Nor can they dance in the kitchen while singing at the top of their lungs. When they are out in nature, they have the freedom to express themselves in any way that they wish to. They can scream, dance, jump, and there is no one to restrict them.
4. No anxiety
Staying indoors in front of a screen can cause a child to become depressed and behave impaired vision. They will soon have to wear specs. Being in nature will improve their eyesight. They will also feel relaxed and relieved of their anxiety and depression of being stuck in the four walls. The sun will ensure that they feel fresh, healthy, and positive.
5. Reduced symptoms of ADHD
Children diagnosed with ADHD don’t have much patience and focus. They are hyperactive and don’t know how to slow down. One of the best benefits of nature activities for kids is that it can give them the center of focus, get them to slow down, and make them more concentrated. Digging a hole in the ground, throwing rocks, and plucking fruits from trees will all require focus and concentration. They will also slow down and form a plan.
6. Playdate
When children play at home with their other friends, they can interact with someone who is like them, and hence they don’t learn much. But kids’ nature activities will grant them the opportunity to talk to many other forms of living things. They can understand the language of a dog, a cat, a horse, and even different cries of the birds. This will make them understand and be more aware of their surroundings.
7. Awareness
Being in nature requires a great sense of awareness. While the child is out doing the best nature activities kids, will have to be aware of their surroundings. The cries of the birds, the sway of the trees, and other little movements and noises will make them understand what is going on around them. They will also become adept at recognizing the signs of danger in their surroundings. This profound sense of awareness makes them into an adult who can process all the information at once, and deal with it head-on.
8. Early adulting
Best Activities for kids’ nature will allow the child to learn many adulting skills they require ahead. Nature doesn’t have any games or a set of rules. When a child explores the nature a lot, they start making their games and rules for playing. They deal with the challenges, situations, and games without any adult supervision. This makes them confident with themselves and in their decisions.
9. Empathy and being gentle
When a child sees an animal or plant hurt, they will reach out and try to fix it. If they don’t know how to help, they feel bad for them and try to console them to the best of their abilities. This helps them in being a good friend. They console their friends when they are hurt, and they learn to empathize with everyone. While dealing with babies of the animals, plants, and flowers, they become gentle. This is a benefit for kids who are boisterous and rough around the edges. They slow down and become a lot gentler in their demeanor and physical touch.
10. Physical benefits
The physical benefits are countless and endless when being in nature. They will have strong bodies and develop strong bones and muscles. The fresh air will have benefits as they will be limited to inhaling the polluted air. They will also be in the direct reach of sunlight which will give them Vitamin D naturally, as well as a strong immune system. The child will also burn their excessive calories and be lean, agile, and flexible.
If we want to raise adults who connect well with others in the world and with nature, then you should encourage them to take part in nature. Children who play in nature and the environment will be more concerned with environmental issues and take an active part in taking steps to resolve it. Let your child play in your garden and between nature. They will have some bruises, but no pain, no gain. Right?