We all know we want the kids off the screens and to play outside a little more but what does that even mean? Do we open the door, let them into the yard, and hope they find something to do? Should we take them to the park, push them on the swing and clap as they head down the slide?
While these ideas are winners to help them peel back from the screens for a while, they’re not really encouraging the idea of Nature Play and why we're here, celebrating 10 years of it!
What is Nature Play?
No, this isn’t heading to the local playground and digging in the sandpit, this is unstructured child-led play in the great outdoors! The key is it remains unstructured with natural resources rather than man-made structures.
With life’s everyday routines that become difficult to break, it’s important and unusual to make time to be free to explore the world around us. If your children aren’t used to this sort of play, so it’s a good idea to stay close by in case of any questions or unforeseen, perceived dangers.
The benefits of Nature Play
Childcare services across Australia incorporate nature play in their centres every day. From bush kindy to outdoor ‘risky’ play. Why? Because there are so many educational benefits.
In an article co-written by Doug Fargher and Louise Dorrat for the ABC, White Hutchinson Leisure and Learning Group states, “Children who spend more time outdoors in nature are happier, healthier, stronger, smarter, kinder, and more social.”
A report from the National Wildlife Federation, Back to School: Back Outside (Coyle, 2010), showed such benefits include:
- Improved classroom behaviour;
- Increased student motivation and enthusiasm to learn;
- Better performance in maths, science, reading and social studies;
- Reduced Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD);
- Higher scores on standardised tests (including college entrance exams); and
- Helps under-resourced, low-income students to perform measurably better in school.
Encouraging Nature Play at home
There’s nothing quite like heading out on an adventure to the local creek, bush track, or hike for some real fun!
Find your nearest nature walk in your municipality. Your council website should be able to direct you. Take with you some friends, and tadpole nets, and make sure you’re in your gumboots!
Stand back and watch the kids explore while remaining close enough to discover with them. Once you're confident that they’re able to explore more on their own, step right back.
Encourage them to:
- Stack some rocks
- Gather sticks
- Build a cubby
- Climb the trees
- Make a boat with sticks and leaves
- Jump in puddles
- Feel the mud between their fingers
- Pick out wildflowers and make daisy chains
Chat about it all!
When your adventures are all said and done for the day, don't forget to talk about the things you found, played with and collected for the day. If you're interested to know more about Nature Play Week and all the celebrations and events happening for the 10 year anniversary, head to their website calendar!
Nature play, it's a week, it's a movement.
