Parent Involvement: fostering connections and making memories
- How outdoor activities can help parents bond with their children and make lifelong memories
- Reducing stress and improving mental health together
- Modelling Healthy Habits
- Looking through the eyes of your child
- Some easy activities to try together
- Why parent involvement is so important
- FREE 'Nature's Colours Scavenger Hunt' download
How outdoor activities can help parents bond with their children and make lifelong memories
Spending time outdoors with our children can be a great way to bond and create lasting memories. According to a study published in the Journal of Family Psychology, parents who engage in outdoor activities with their children report feeling closer to them and having stronger relationships. The study also found that children who spend more time in nature have better social skills and are more resilient.
When we're outside with our children, we're away from the distractions of screens and technology, and we can focus on each other and the world around us. We can explore nature together, work on a project, or just play and have fun. This shared experience can help to build a sense of teamwork and cooperation, and can also be a great way to learn more about each other's interests and personalities.
By spending time in nature with our children, we're creating memories that are associated with the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. These memories can be especially powerful, and can be a great way to connect with our children and build a shared history. As our children grow up, they'll look back on these experiences with fondness and nostalgia, remembering the special times they spent with us.
Well known author, Richard Louv, has focused on the many benefits of connecting with nature, including the positive effects it can have on children and families. Louv has argued that spending time outdoors can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve physical health, and foster a sense of connection with the natural world. In particular, he has emphasized the importance of spending time in nature with our children, as this can be a great way to build a stronger bond and create lasting memories.
Whether we're going on a bush walk, gardening, or just playing outside, outdoor activities provide a great opportunity to connect with our children.
Reducing stress and improving mental health together
Spending time outside together is a fun way to reduce stress and improve mental health for both ourselves and our children. When we're outside, we're able to take in all the fresh air, sunshine, and nature around us. This can be incredibly rejuvenating and can help to clear our mind and be more present. Teaching our children how to naturally reduce stress is an essential skill to model, and it will benefit them throughout their lives
Modelling healthy habits
Modelling healthy habits for our children is important because it helps them to learn how to take care of themselves and to develop self-care habits that will help them to feel their best. Spending time outside is an incredibly rewarding part of self-care and a healthy habit for our children to adapt in their every day life.
When we are outside spending time in nature, we expose ourselves to the Earth's electrical charges, which can help to balance our own electrical charge. We can encourage our children to walk barefoot on the grass or play outside to help them connect with the Earth's electrical charge.
Being outside is also a great way to get some exercise, which is known to be an effective way to improve our mood and reduce feelings of depression. By modelling this healthy habit and spending time outside, we're setting a great example for our children. This is important because it helps our children to learn how to take care of their bodies too.
When we spend time outside with our children, we're helping them to develop healthy coping mechanisms. We're providing them with opportunities to solve problems, reduce stress naturally, express creativity and take risks which can help them to develop important life skills.
By spending time outside together, we're showing our children that it's important to appreciate and care for the natural world. This can help to foster a sense of responsibility and compassion, which will benefit them as they grow older and become more aware of the impact humans have on the environment.
By modelling healthy habits and spending time outside, we're helping our children to develop a love for nature and a sense of wonder that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Looking through the eyes of your child
When we're outside with our children, it's important to take the time to see the world from their perspective. Walk slowly, observe, take the time to see the things they see and what interests them. By doing this, we show them that we value their experiences and we're interested in what they have to say. We're also helping them to develop important observational skills and learn about the world around them. When we explore nature with our children, we're creating memories and building strong relationships.
Some easy activities to try together
Animal House Building
- Building little homes for toy animals using sticks, leaves, bark or whatever else you can find is a fun and creative activity for children. It encourages them to use their imagination and to learn about the natural materials around them. It's also a great way to teach them about animal habitats and to show them how different animals use different materials to build their homes.
Scavenger Hunts
- Scavenger hunts are a fun way to get children exploring the outdoors. A colour scavenger hunt, for example, challenges children to find different objects in nature that match a specific colour. Check out my FREE download available at the end of this blog.
Fun Games
- Fun games like "What's the Time Mr. Fox", "The Floor is Lava", and "Tag" are classic outdoor games that children love. They promote physical activity and teamwork and provide opportunities for children to learn about the natural environment and to explore their surroundings.
Taking a bush walk
- Bush walking or nature walks are a great way to get children outside and to teach them about the natural world. By exploring different trails and paths, children can learn about different plants, animals, and ecosystems. They can also develop important observational skills and learn about the importance of conservation.
Forest Bathing
- Forest bathing is a practice that originated in Japan and involves spending time in nature to promote relaxation and wellbeing. It's a great activity to try with children, as it encourages them to slow down and to appreciate the beauty of the natural world. By taking deep breaths and focusing on their surroundings, children can reduce stress and anxiety and promote overall wellbeing.
Fairy Houses
- Fairy houses are a fun and creative way to engage children with nature. By building little houses for fairies using natural materials like sticks, leaves, and flowers, children can use their imagination and learn about the natural environment. It's also a great way to encourage children to explore their surroundings and to develop their creativity.
Wandering Sticks
- Wandering sticks are a simple and fun activity that requires only a stick and some wool or a rubber band. Children can add to their sticks as they walk, by tying on leaves, flowers, or other natural materials. It's a great way to encourage children to explore their surroundings and to learn about different plants and animals.
Cloud Gazing
- Encourage your child to look up at the clouds and to describe what they see. They might see different shapes, animals, or objects in the clouds. This activity encourages creative thinking and imagination, as well as relaxation and mindfulness. It's also a great opportunity to teach children about different types of clouds and weather patterns.
Why Parent Involvement is so important
Parental involvement in outdoor activities is crucial for the healthy development and well-being of children.
When parents are actively involved in outdoor activities with their children, their children tend to have better physical health, social skills, and emotional well-being.
It helps to reinforce the importance of physical activity and healthy habits and provides a sense of adventure and exploration, which can help children to develop a sense of curiosity and wonder. Additionally, it helps to create a sense of connection with nature, which can help to promote environmental stewardship and a sense of responsibility for the natural world.
I believe that outdoor activities and building connections with nature are essential for children's development, and I encourage parents to have an active role in our outdoor activities with their children by providing opportunities with outdoor arts and crafts, nature walks, scavenger hunts and more.
When parents are involved in outdoor activities with their children, they can help to create a sense of community with other parents and families who share similar interests.
I believe that outdoor activities and building connections with nature are essential for children's healthy development, and I'm committed to working with parents to create a supportive and nurturing environment.
