The Benefits of Nature Play for Babies & Toddlers

If only a baby exploring nature could talk! One look at the quizzical expression on their face and you can clearly see the beginnings of an inquiring mind! What does this stick taste like? Does that little green leaf feel different to the big red one? What’s that gritty stuff I feel between my toes? Let me feel that gritty stuff again, perhaps I’ll like it better this time!

10 Benefits of Nature Play for Babies & Toddlers

Time in nature isn’t just a ‘nice outing’ for little ones. Children have a natural instinct to bond with nature and living things, and research demonstrates are many benefits to babies and toddlers of all ages, both physically and mentally.

It is for this reason that the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia, the National curriculum for Early Childhood Education, places an emphasis on children engaging actively in play-based learning from birth to five years old. This emphasis acknowledges the vital role of play in enriching the life of the child and the values of families as the child’s “first and most influential educators.”

Children of all ages and abilities can experience unstructured nature play. Some of the primary benefits of nature play for babies and toddlers include:

1. Connection

The Framework identifies play as a vital opportunity for “belonging, being and becoming” – vital foundations for children’s development. building trusting connections with their significant adults. fostering a sense of belonging in the world. calming of outdoor spaces

Natural experiences inspire awe and wonder in babies and young children,

building critical foundations for a lifelong passion to question, explore and discover.
Further, providing regular, natural outdoor experiences for young children supports important sensory processing development

Sensory development: Exploring  the textures, sounds, tastes, colours and smells in any weather develops learning skills, expands sensory use and strengthens muscles for gross and fine motor skills.
Even new babies the opportunity to lie in the shade of a tree to see the light and shadows dance between the leaves and hear the wind blowing all around them is a precious gift. As is the feel of sand, grass and leaves beneath bare feet.

a love of exploring and discovering, to use imagination through symbolic play creativity

Learning to be observant and focus their attention: How to observe, investigate, imagine  and question develops critical thinking.

Developing language and communication skills: To participate in conversations and observations about ideas or experiences develops speaking, listening and social communication skills.

emotional wellbeing, and

Learning to self calm: Our natural attraction and trust of nature can calm behaviours, focus attention and increase ability to concentrate and learn. Developing self-control: To interact with their world and be in control of their own actions in various situations develops self-regulating behaviours and learn cause and effect.

Building resilience: Little ones learn to fall down and get back up again, to experiment and learn from mistakes develops problem solving and creativity by being persistent to try things a different way.

love of nature Developing respect and care of other living things: Good adult role models show appropriate ways to care for the natural environment.

They do, however, rely upon their significant adults to provide regular opportunities for exploration. For parents and educators within early childhood settings this means xx

First Steps

Want to get your baby into nature play, but not sure where to start?  Check our list of simple and fun ideas!