Nature, Outdoor Play & Sustainablity
Leave No Child Inside
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The Leave No Child Inside Movement has brought to national attention the critical role that nature plays in healthy childhood development.
Reconnecting children with nature is not an environmental issue – it is a childhood development issue. It touches organizations involved in health, education, community services, regional planning, parks, recreation and natural resources. It addresses some of today’s most pressing problems related to children, including obesity, stress related mental health, low self-esteem, poor academic performance and unhealthy environments. Nature-centered play experiences for children are those that instill wonder and engender curiosity; take place in outdoor settings ranging from backyards to neighborhoods to city parks to wilderness; and occur in the form of guided activities as well as unstructured nature play in children’s everyday lives |
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Hike it Baby
Hike it Baby is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting families to one another and getting them outside with a focus on children from birth to school age.
To find a hike near you join.
To find a hike near you join.
Ideas that will Help Connect Children with Nature
- Limit screen time! The average American child spends 7 hours a day plugged into electronic media. The AAP recommends no more than two hours a day, and none for children under the age of two.
- Give kids ideas for outdoor activities to get them started, but be careful not to hover. They will derive the greatest benefit from self-directed, creative play.
- Make sure that your own backyard is child-friendly.
- Take a child to the park, nature center or zoo.
- Send a child to camp.
- Garden and grow your own food
- Understand the problem and talk about it with others – family, friends, teachers, neighbors, church and co-workers.
- Encourage a school, pre-school or church to build a nature playscape, school garden or outdoor classroom, then volunteer and/or help fund that effort.
- Advocate – be a voice for the right of a child to play in a healthy environment.
- Support parks, nature enters, camps and other organization that are connecting children with nature by volunteering and donating.
Nature Deficit Disorder
Did you know…children who play outside are happier, healthier and smarter? Give your child a dose of Vitamin N (nature) every day!
Nature is good for physical health:
Children who spend time outside tend to be more active, which reduces the likelihood that they will be overweight. Play in natural environments with uneven terrain improves motor abilities, especially balance and coordination.
Nature is good for mental health:
Interaction with nature increases children’s ability to focus, and therefore enhances their cognitive ability.
According to an American Academy of Pediatrics report, “Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity and physical, cognitive and emotional strength”.
After a walk in a park, some children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder experienced the same level of relief as provided by ADHD medication.
Kids learn from nature:
Real field trips provide better learning experiences than “virtual field trips”. Actual experiences create excitement, inspire curiosity and a sense of awe and wonder, as well as a desire to explore.
Students in nature-based instructional programs score as well or better in reading, math, language and spelling than students in traditional classrooms Creative, outdoor play cultivates teamwork, cooperation and social skills.
NATURE is so important that author Richard Louv coined the term “Nature Deficit Disorder”
NATURE DEFICIT DISORDER: a disorder describing the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses.
For more details and research citations, please visit the link below:
Nature is good for physical health:
Children who spend time outside tend to be more active, which reduces the likelihood that they will be overweight. Play in natural environments with uneven terrain improves motor abilities, especially balance and coordination.
Nature is good for mental health:
Interaction with nature increases children’s ability to focus, and therefore enhances their cognitive ability.
According to an American Academy of Pediatrics report, “Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity and physical, cognitive and emotional strength”.
After a walk in a park, some children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder experienced the same level of relief as provided by ADHD medication.
Kids learn from nature:
Real field trips provide better learning experiences than “virtual field trips”. Actual experiences create excitement, inspire curiosity and a sense of awe and wonder, as well as a desire to explore.
Students in nature-based instructional programs score as well or better in reading, math, language and spelling than students in traditional classrooms Creative, outdoor play cultivates teamwork, cooperation and social skills.
NATURE is so important that author Richard Louv coined the term “Nature Deficit Disorder”
NATURE DEFICIT DISORDER: a disorder describing the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses.
For more details and research citations, please visit the link below:
Engaging Families in Sustainablity
Involving families in sustainability efforts is key to fostering a lifelong commitment to caring for the environment in young children. By integrating eco-friendly habits at home and school, we can empower families to make a positive impact on the planet together. Here are some effective ways to engage families in sustainability:
- Start Small and Build Awareness: Encourage families to adopt simple sustainable habits like using reusable water bottles, shopping bags, or energy-efficient light bulbs. Involve children in making these choices to help them understand the importance of reducing waste and conserving resources from an early age.
- Create Eco-Friendly Challenges: Introduce fun, family-friendly challenges like a "Plastic-Free Week" or a "Recycling Race," where families compete to reduce single-use plastic or collect the most recyclable materials. These interactive challenges not only make sustainability fun but also help children learn practical ways to protect the environment.
- Nature-Based Projects: Organize projects such as planting trees, starting a community garden, or building bird feeders from recycled materials. These activities allow children to experience the joys of nurturing nature while contributing to environmental preservation. Families can also take these ideas home, growing their own gardens or creating wildlife-friendly spaces.
- Host Family Sustainability Events: Plan school events like "Zero Waste Day" or a "Nature Scavenger Hunt," where families come together to learn about reducing waste and protecting natural resources. These events can include workshops on composting, upcycling crafts, or cooking with local and seasonal ingredients, fostering family involvement in sustainable living.
- Provide Educational Resources: Equip families with easy-to-follow guides, tips, and DIY projects that promote sustainability at home. This could include recipes for waste-free meals, instructions for making toys from recyclables, or suggestions for reducing energy consumption. The more accessible and practical the resources, the more likely families are to adopt eco-friendly practices.
- Promote Community Involvement: Encourage families to participate in local environmental initiatives, such as neighborhood cleanups, tree-planting events, or volunteering at nature preserves. These activities help children see the tangible results of their efforts and strengthen their connection to their community and the environment.
- Ongoing Communication and Support: Keep sustainability top of mind by regularly sharing tips, reminders, and success stories in newsletters, emails, and social media. Highlight the positive actions families are taking and provide inspiration for others to get involved. Establishing a consistent dialogue helps families feel supported in their sustainability journey.
Get involved and take the pledge!
Whether you are a parent or grandparent, a teacher or politician, or just a concerned citizen, you can give a child the gift of outdoor play.
Nominate a School/Community Site/Business
Become recognized for the good work your agency is doing to connect children to nature!
The link below will allow you to find out more about the award nomination and submit a school or site location for the award. Those that qualify will receive a window decal to display proudly at their agency and possibly other recognitions and publicity
The link below will allow you to find out more about the award nomination and submit a school or site location for the award. Those that qualify will receive a window decal to display proudly at their agency and possibly other recognitions and publicity
Benefits of green schoolyard
Click below to download infographics
