Studies show that human minds simply integrate outdoor and indoor experiences simultaneously.
We automatically become hands-on in nature. Just think to a time we were in nature with children: Did we see children jumping in puddles, climbing on rocks, swinging from trees, and picking things up?
Nature makes us think. Richard Louv, author of the book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, says that nature creates a unique sense of wonder for children that no other environment can provide.
Natural materials such as pine cones, grass, rocks, leaves, rain, spider webs, sticks, dirt, seashells, pebbles, and sand provide endless possibilities for play and imagination.
Nature provides different stimulation. Nature activates our senses—we can see, hear, smell, and touch outdoor environments. Understanding the relationship between outdoor and indoor experiences, we love to bring nature inside.
Bringing nature to the classroom reinforces its beauty, purpose, and gifts. Open the door to the outside and support wonderful connections with nature!
“As the young spend less and less of their lives in natural surroundings, their senses narrow,” Louv warns, “and this reduces the richness of human experience.”
Nature teaches responsibility. Living things die if mistreated or not taken care of properly, and entrusting us to take care of the living parts of our environment means we will learn what happens when we forget to water a plant, or pull a flower out by its roots.
The phenomena that occur naturally in backyards and parks everyday make us ask questions about the earth and the life that it supports.
Where we can fulfill our interest through nature, have access to a creative form to express and empower ourselves, which results in more self esteem, value for our lives and way of living, more empathy towards each other and responsibility towards our own families and communities.
Kindest,
Children & Friends.
Children & Friends 