Nature Connectedness in Children
Background/current status: Kids get tons of benefits from being outside. Getting kids outside helps their confidence, creativity, responsibility,gives them diverse stimulation, helps their health, agility, problem solving, and reduces stress. Today kids are on their screens more than ever children spend an average of 4 to 7 minutes outside and 7 hours indoors looking screens. Natural space is becoming more scarce, while entertainment systems are becoming more popular and more distracting. Getting kids outside today is more important now than ever. But there is a lot parents and teachers can do. Beyond the individual physical and mental benefits to spending time outside, there are benefits for our entire society and the environment. Kids who get outside in their early life have a better chance at developing a better and long lasting connection with nature. This results in those kids growing up and caring for the environment. Most people who are taking action to help the environment usually have an origin story; a connection they gained with the Earth at a young age that fired up a passion for nature. THe more kids are exposed in nature by learning in it and playing in it the more likely they are to take action to preserve it. Children getting out and being outside Power Dynamic Analysis: Teachers and parents have the ability to completely turn this around. Parents should allow their kids to play freely and unstructured outside for at least an hour, the parent need only supervise. After a long day at work it can be hard for parents to want to take their kids outside but it takes no energy to just bring them outside and let them play while the adult relaxes in the sun and makes sure everyone’s safe. Teachers and school administration need to see the value of letting kids play outside longer. In today's age of digital tools being used in schools it's even more important to let kids get outside for longer periods of time. This could be done by extending recess times or giving two or three short recesses throughout the day for kids to burn energy. This way kids are more focused, ready to learn, and more social. Kids are the subject but don’t have as much of a power to make the change. At such a young age children are going to do whatever they are encouraged and influenced to do so it’s most important that schools and parents are giving that encouragement and positive influence. There are many solutions for this issue, with all of our research we gathered these ideas. Important things people can do include things like rebuilding parks and creating safe places for kids to play. This creates places for kids to go and be exposed to nature. Parents and teachers need to put more effort into getting kids outside and off their screens. Parents can encourage unstructured playtime for children. This gives the kid a chance to play and the parent a reason to relaxing in the sun after work to supervise. Schools can extend recess time or include two or three short recesses throughout the day for kids to burn energy and be better focused in class. Schools can also give more knowledge to teachers on how to operate a classroom outdoors so more classes can be thought out in nature. Today there are so many distractions that pull people away from the great outdoors. Creating a bond with nature is getting harder and harder. It’s detrimental for schools and parents to nurture kids connection to nature at a young age. This provides numerous health benefits and ensures the future safety and care of the planet. |