Because of the effects of modernization and industrialization, children nowadays tend to spend more time watching television or playing computer games rather than participating in outdoor activities. In addition to fewer activities, children in modern society also consume more processed food than those in the past. That is the reason why more and more of them get heartbreak, sleep disorder, and psychological diseases. Many types of research were done, and it was believed that encouraging children to explore nature will bring improvements to their physical and mental conditions. This article will show you the benefits when your kids are encouraged to explore nature and how to make them excited about outdoor activities.
The Benefits Of Outdoor Activities For Kids
Participating in natural activities will help to complete your kids’ physical, emotional and social development. Those activities can promote your children’s creativity and provide them problem-solving and team-working skills. Moreover, this is a good way for them to improve their physical endurance as they overcome the different weather conditions. Remarkably, the Academy of Ophthalmology (2011) claimed that spending time on those activities can help to improve the nearsightedness in children. The area with many green plants should be considered as the best place for your kids to explore as it will significantly reduce your kids’ stress level. For all of the above benefits, bringing back nature, including trees, plants, and outdoor activities, to your children will help them to improve their academic performance and overall health. Also, your kids will also gain more experience and enjoyment in other aspects of their life.
How To Encourage Your Kids To Explore Nature
- Limit The Use Of Electronic Devices
Electronic devices are the main cause, taking your kids out of the natural environment. Instead of turning on the television in the morning, for instance, you can spend time talking to your kids about the beautiful sky and lovely birds, which are singing. At the weekends, many parents will spend time surfing the Internet; however, you can take your kids to a nearby park, talk to them about the tree, and what happens to the leaves when the sun is shining and when it becomes dark, for example. These small behaviors will create the curiosity among your skids and increase their excitement about the surrounding environment.
- Read Books About Nature With Your Kid
If you are busy all day long and you cannot take your kids outside in the evening, you can choose to read a book with them. You should choose books which are easy to read and be attached with many pictures so that your kids can read, and image at the same time. They will not be strange when they have a chance to get access the natural things, which may exist far from their living place.
- Set Up A Small Garden At Your Own House
It seems to be difficult and will bring you more chores. However, it is an excellent way to make your kids get familiar with nature. You should also teach your kids how to grow some small trees and tell them the differences between this one to the others. Also, do not forget to tell your children about how to take care of a tree and its natural growing process.
- Get Your Children Involved In Real Activities
One night, you and your kid talk about a kind of wild animal and he knows how it looks like, what types of food it eats, and so on. However, he still wishes that one day, he can see the real one. So, take your time to go to the zoo with your child. This way will help to significantly encourage him to explore nature. In another case, if you tell your child that it is so interesting to participate in a community activity, find out a local club and encourage your child to participate in. It is much better if you and your family can also participate in this club. By participating in a social club or community, your child will develop his social spirit and team-working skills. You can also go fishing, swimming or hiking with your child. When your child is 5 years old, you can take him on a fishing trip. Letting them get a chance to have real experience is much better than just reading books or watching television.
- Let Your Kids Be Dirty
It is so surprising that getting dirty can help to increase your kids’ endurance over inflammation, allergies, and bacteria. Getting dirty is also a good way to increase your children’s health as the soil’s tiny bacteria can help to boost the immune system. Playing outsides and getting dirty always make your kids feel happy and fun, so it is useful in reducing the stress and helping them to focus better. Therefore, do not worry about the dirt anymore, let your kids play and present their personalities.
- Send Your Kids To A Relative Living Closer To The Natural Environment
If you live in a big city and it is too hard for you to create a natural space at your own house, you can send your kids to a relative, who is living in a more natural place, even a person who is living in a farm. This will bring your kids strange and original feeling. The living time with a relative in a natural place will reduce your kids’ stress level, help them to relax and bring them better academic performance in the next semester.
Above are some tips on how to encourage your kids to explore nature that you should follow. There is no difficulty in those, so hope that you can do well and gain a good result.
Author bio:
This guest post is by Emily Pham, a blogger with many years of experience in searching the best natural home remedies for beauty and health issues. All contents provided are for informational and educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine which method is appropriate for you.
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