Nature Play Benefits for Babies & Toddlers

I remember the first time I took our eldest child, as a baby, to the beach. As she scrunched her chubby toes into the damp beach sand for the very first time the most quizzical expression crossed her face. While she did not cry, to this day I pretty sure she was not a fan!

If only our babies could verbally share with us what their first experiences of nature were like! What does this stick taste like? Does that little green leaf feel different to the big red one? What’s that fluffy, green stuff I feel between my toes? Let me feel that again, perhaps I’ll like it better this time!

While we can clearly see our youngest explorers, non-verbal reactions to the sensory sensations of nature, researchers have been digging deeper into the benefits of nature play for babies and toddlers, and the results provide a fabulous reminder of the importance of taking even the youngest baby outside into nature.

10 Nature Play Benefits for Babies & Toddlers

Time in nature isn’t just a ‘nice outing’ for little ones. Children of all ages and abilities can experience unstructured nature play. In fact, 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.

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.

2. Curiosity

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

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.”

3. 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 for newborns, 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

4. Communication skills

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

5. Attention and focus

Learning to be observant and focus their attention: How to observe, investigate, imagine  and question develops critical thinking. check Kelsie’s presentation

6. Emotional wellbeing

emotional wellbeing, and

calming of outdoor spaces

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.

7. Resilience

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.

8. Xxxx

9. Respect for nature

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!