Our Children Thrive When They Spend Time in Nature

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My children become restless when they’re cooped up indoors all day. It starts with a gloomy mood, quickly escalating to scattered toys—action figures strewn across the living room and epic battles of plastic dinosaurs and toy cars taking place throughout the playroom.

As we homeschool, the moment we wrap up our lessons, the pleas begin. “Mom, can we go outside? Please, can we play outside? What’s the plan for today?” The best answer is always a trip to a nearby park with ponds. Armed with nets, they chase after tadpoles in the spring or hunt for bullfrogs later in the year, catching minnows along the way. They shout with excitement, leap on rocks, and splash in the water while I relax under a pine tree with a book and my dog. We also enjoy hiking, especially to spots with waterfalls and fascinating fossil formations. While there are other trails where we can explore rocks or safely observe alligators, the waterfall remains their top choice.

If those options fail, we might settle for one of the local splash pads, although they’re just concrete and only enjoyable when the kids are hot. On weekends, we load them into a kayak (for my 7-year-old) and a canoe (for my 5- and 3-year-olds) for a river adventure. We engage in these activities because my energetic boys, who have ADHD, can easily tear the house apart if they don’t get enough outdoor time, and they feel miserable doing so.

According to an article by Ryan Matthews in The Urban Gazette, Richard Louv, a keynote speaker at the Children and Nature Network International Conference, asserts that kids today report higher levels of attention issues and depression, often leading to increased medication use. I understand that while my sons’ ADHD—and my own ADD and depression—aren’t solely due to a disconnection from nature, being outdoors makes a significant difference. On days when we explore outside, my oldest, Max, is noticeably calmer and more focused. I also find that my mood improves significantly on kayaking days.

Matthews highlights research from the University of Illinois, which indicates that play in “green outdoor spaces” fosters “creative play” and alleviates symptoms of ADHD. My children thrive when they can roam freely in a natural setting with little adult interference. They want to play with sticks (without worrying about someone yelling about safety), toss pinecones, build forts, and pretend to fish. Their fascination with water play is boundless. I may not always know what they’re up to, and that’s perfectly fine. Nature offers them the chance to create their own play space—one without adult commands and constant supervision. Matthews describes how parents often hover, ready to intervene at the first sign of a scrape. In contrast, children prefer to navigate these challenges independently.

E.O. Wilson, a professor at Harvard University, argues that we possess an inherent affinity for the natural world, a concept he terms biophilia. This innate connection to nature is essential for our psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being. Essentially, kids need to explore green spaces, earthy terrains, or rocky outcrops (just watch out for snakes!). If they don’t, their growth and creativity could be stunted. They need to make mud pies and observe the trees swaying overhead.

Organized sports don’t count as time spent in nature, even if they occur outdoors. True nature is wild, and children must be allowed to experience its untamed essence to cultivate their own sense of creativity and curiosity amidst the abundant wonders around them.

While you may hesitate to allow them to build a fire, encourage imaginative play instead. If you’re squeamish about touching tadpoles (gross!), worms (even grosser!), or lizards (I’m fine with that), provide them with nets for gentle catching and containers for observation. The more kids that play together, the better. As Louv states, “When children spend time with one another, they engage in creative play, inventing their own rules and games, a phenomenon that has mostly vanished from urban childhoods.”

We might need to put in some effort—like finding other children to join in the fun or letting go of the expectation that kids must always be doing homework or enrolled in a sports program. We may also have to join them outside ourselves. (I had to start keeping bug spray handy on the porch because the mosquitoes were relentless.) Embracing a little messiness is key—mud, water, and sticky fingers are all part of the experience. We may encounter questions we can’t answer (like, “What’s that mushroom?” or “Is that a fungus?”), but it’s essential to get our kids out into nature. They deserve it, and it ultimately benefits us too.

For more insights on parenting and child development, feel free to explore our other blog posts, such as one about home insemination and its various aspects.

In summary, it is crucial for children to spend time in nature to support their overall growth, creativity, and well-being. Engaging with the natural world allows them to explore, learn, and develop essential skills away from the constraints of structured activities. Let’s prioritize outdoor play for our kids, as it fosters independence and joy.