Our children stand to inherit a world of environmental challenges. It is of real concern that they are spending less and less time playing outside and exploring the natural world and more and more in front of the TV or computer screen.
Outside play and interaction with nature encourages children to be more active, and so helps combat obesity and its associated health issues. It also helps children to build a sense of Environmental Stewardship that will help them as adults to deal with the legacy of climate change, air and water pollution and loss of habitat that is being left for them. Or, at the very least, it will ensure that they care enough to try and make the changes to combat these issues when it is their turn to do so.
There are lots of fun ways to get out in the natural world and teach your children some basic environmental literacy. Doing so offers a good opportunity to get involved in your child’s learning and to have fun as a family in the great outdoors - even if you only make it as far as your own backyard! Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Plant a Garden Together
This is great fun. You can choose flowers, herbs and vegetables together. Planning the garden is half the fun. And you don’t need lots of space - even apartment dwellers can have pots of vegetables growing on sunny windowsills or balconies. You can start your own compost pile or worm farm for your food scraps - and this can lead to discussions about recycling other things as well.
Growing your own vegetables helps keep you in touch with the seasons and with where your food comes from. It means that you and your children will be getting delicious, fresh veges for your meals and, if you take up composting, you will be reducing the amount of rubbish you send to the landfill as well.
Go on a Treasure Hunt With Your kids
Make a list of things to find. It will probably vary depending on the season and location. You could include such things as finding a specific type of bird or plant, a red leaf, an orange flower, a butterfly/caterpillar/worm, some red berries, a round rock . . . Then go for a walk and enjoy the discoveries!
Visit Your National Parks
Its great if you can go in person, but virtual visits can be just as good. Get to know the beautiful wilderness areas in your country!
Go Camping
There’s nothing like a night spent in a tent to bring you close to nature - whether you head out to the wilderness, or camp out in the backyard. Family camping events are the stuff wonderful memories are made of and are great opportunities to learn about treading lightly on the earth and keeping your impact on the environment to a minimum.
Get Out in the Weather
Heading outside on a rainy day doesn’t tend to hold much appeal for adults - but your kids will love it. Let them jump in puddles, run through the mud, get wet & dirty and just enjoy nature! You can always wash out the dirt and warm them up with a hot shower and a warm drink!
Keep a Nature Journal
Encourage your kids to keep a moon journal, or a weather journal, or a “what’s happening in the garden” journal. Observing the world around them builds their curiosity to discover more and keeps them aware of their environment.
