Early Years for Parents

Connecting your young children with nature

What does a stick taste like? Does that little green leaf feel different than the big red one? What’s that dirty gritty stuff I feel between those ten tiny wriggly things on the end of my feet?  Let me feel that gritty stuff again, perhaps I’ll like it better next time? If only a baby involved in unstructured nature play could talk. But look at the quizzical expression on their young face and you will see the beginnings of an inquiring mind.

Natural experiences of awe and wonder for babies and young children are critical foundations to embed a lifelong passion to explore, discover, question and appreciate nature. A variety of natural outdoor experiences for a young child is positive for their wellbeing, develops a sense of belonging to their world and builds a trusting connection with caring adults.

Children have a natural instinct to bond with nature and living things but they need the adults around them to provide opportunities and set an example to get outdoors in unstructured nature play from the very beginning of a child’s life.  Giving your child the opportunity to see the light and shadow dance between the leaves, feel the rocks and bark beneath bare feet and hear the wind blowing above them in the trees is a precious gift.

Research shows the list of benefits of unstructured outdoor nature play is long because such experiences develop the whole child physically and mentally. The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia places an emphasis on children engaging actively in play-based learning from birth to five years old to enrich their life, and values families as “children’s first and most influential educators”. The Framework, produced by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations for the Council of Australian Governments, says that play builds opportunities of “belonging, being and becoming” as vital foundations for children’s development. It supports the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which includes Article 31, recognising “that every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts".

Children of all ages and abilities can experience unstructured nature play. Some main benefits of nature play for children are:

  • Builds resilience – 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.
  • Risk taking and reasonable risk assessment – children can reflect on their actions and feelings related to nature experiences and gain confidence to make their own decisions from self-directed and self-controlled play.
  • Calming – our natural attraction and trust of nature can calm behaviours, focus attention and increase ability to concentrate and learn.
  • Develops the use of senses – 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.
  • Develops respect and care of other living things – good adult role models show appropriate ways to care for the natural environment.
  • To be observant and focus their attention – how to observe, investigate, imagine  and question develops critical thinking.
  • Develops language and communication skills – to participate in conversations and observations about ideas or experiences develops speaking, listening and social communication skills.
  • Increases academic achievement- teaches children a love of exploring and discovering, to use imagination through symbolic play. For example, to act out animal moves, dry collage and drawing in the sand; to reflect on experiences and develop language and social skills through discussion with other children and adults.
  • Develops 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.
  • Cost effective and accessible – nature play can be at school, the park, the beach, in the city, the country, community or your own backyard, and can be free or inexpensive.
  • Discover and understand feelings – develops confidence for children to express their feelings from using their imagination and role play to  investigate their natural environment.
  • Learn knowledge, skills and social skills from other children and adults – nature play builds a sense of community by sharing skills, knowledge and fun experiences.

Looking to celebrate a special milestone with your child outdoors?  Have a look at our Celebration Ideas!

Want to know the gear you'll need for your nature play adventure?  Check out our What To Bring list.

References:

Chalufour I. & Worth K. (2003). Discovering Nature with Young Children. Redleaf Press: St. Paul

Williams, L. & Featherstone, S. (2006). Baby & Beyond: The Natural World – progression in play for babies and children. A&C Black Publishers Limited: London

Words contributed by Cindy Addison. 

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