There have been numerous studies suggesting the importance of nature to facilitate the development of children. Often it’s easy to forget that our children need exposure outside the classroom just as much as inside. Being around nature helps children to get in tune with their surroundings, increases their awareness of the environment, and also serves as a healthy way to add a mental break from their school routines.
In this article, we will be discussing the importance and benefits of immersing our children in nature to facilitate their development.
Improve sleep quality
Being outdoors helps regulate children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive functions. This well-rounded exposure helps the body relax at the end of the day, giving them higher quality sleep as their mind and body recover and consolidate the experiences that they had during the day.
Balancing screen time
What we mean by screen time here is the inevitable exposure to gadgets, televisions, video games, and other digital devices. All that screen time needs to be balanced with equal or more green time outdoors. Technology is fascinating and can be used for learning purposes as well, but it is also crucial to keep in mind that our minds need to recharge. And we can do that by unplugging from our mobile and internet-connected devices so that we are in tune with our surroundings.
Emotional benefits
Children love to express themselves – making noise, running around, playing with their toys, and other forms of self-expression that may be restricted when indoors. The freedom that they feel when they’re outside in nature makes them feel more relaxed and gives them a way to let go of any anxieties that they may or may not be feeling.
The importance of nature cannot be overstated, and it is imperative that as parents, we allocate some time for our children to be immersed in nature. Whether that’s going to the beach, a picnic in the park, hiking in the local woods, playing sports outside the house, or any other outdoor activities of your choice.
We hope this article has given you insight into the importance of nature in children’s development.
