Research – Kids Discover Nature

10 Reasons Why Kids Should Play Outside

by MCC

This is one of the original, and most popular, articles posted on the Kids Discover Nature website when it was first launched back in 2009. Though the research utilized is dated, it is still applicable today. In fact, there have been hundreds of research articles posted online since 2009 on the topic and the results are most often the same. Nature and the outdoors have an undeniable, positive effect on the health and well-being of children.

(Updated 10/2021) You hear it in the news a lot …the important role nature plays in the well-being of children. Intuitively, it makes sense. Running around outside, breathing fresh air, using muscles to jump and climb. But, is there actually proof that shows time in nature positively effects children and their growth and well-being?

I decided to do some research. After searching on Google for less than one minute, I found links to the Children & Nature Network (C&NN) and it’s research library. I found enough to research to keep me reading for the next several weeks. .

After reading some of the research, I feel that in nature, my children are in good hands. I feel a certain sense of “thank you God!” In a world that is increasingly stressful, fast-paced, overwhelming and sometimes deranged, I am thankful to have a place to turn that can nurture and care for me and my children with no strings attached. It costs no money…only time, if we make it. The amazing thing is that it is always there waiting, beckoning, and sometimes pleading for us to to come and play in it and experience all it has to offer.

Below is a synopsis of the 10 main points I learned from my research. Below each heading is the source. There are a multitude of other studies cited and paraphrased on CNN’s website. If you have interest in the topic beyond what I have listed below, I encourage you to peruse their library. The information available is impressive and quite interesting.

1. K-12 students participating in environmental education programs at school do better on standardized tests in math, reading, writing and social studies.

Sources:
Abrams, K.S. (1999). Summary of project outcomes from Environmental Education and Sunshine State Standards schools’ final report data. Louv, R. (2005). Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder. New York: Algonquin Books. (p. 206) Louv, R. (2005). Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder. New York: Algonquin Books. (p. 206)

2. Children and adults find it easier to concentrate and pay attention after spending time in nature.
Sources:
Wells, N.M. (2000). At home with nature: Effects of “greenness” on children’s cognitive functioning. Environment and Behavior 32: 775-795.
Hartig, T., Mang, M., & Evans, G.W. (1991). Restorative effects of natural environment experiences. Environment and Behavior 23: 3-26.

3. Nature provides a rich source of hands-on, multi-sensory stimulation, which is critical for brain development in early childhood.
Source:
Rivkin, M.S. Natural Learning.

4. Children’s play is more creative and egalitarian in natural areas than in more structured or paved areas.
Source:
Faber Taylor, A., Wiley, A., Kuo, F.E. & Sullivan, W.C. (1998). Growing up in the inner city: Green spaces as places to grow. Environment and Behavior 30(1): 3-27.

5. Living in “high nature conditions” buffers children against the effects of stressful life events.
Source:
Wells, N. & Evans, G. (2003). Nearby nature: A buffer of life stress among rural children. Environment and Behavior 35: 311-330.
Louv, R. (2005). Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder. New York: Algonquin Books.

6. Views of nature reduce stress levels and speed recovery from illness, injury or stressful experiences.
Sources:
Frumkin, H. (2001). Beyond toxicity: Human health and the natural environment. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 20(3): 234-240.
Louv, R. (2005). Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder. New York: Algonquin Books.

7. The ultimate raw material for much of human intellect, emotion, personality, industry, and spirit is rooted in a healthy, accessible, and abundant natural environment.
Source:
Kellert, Stephen R. (2005). Building for Life: Designing and Developing the Human-Nature Connection.Washington: Island Press.

8. Access to nature nurtures self discipline.
Source: Faber Taylor, A., Kuo, F.E., & Sullivan, W.C. (2002). Views of Nature and Self-Discipline: Evidence from Inner City Children. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 22, 49-63.

9. Nearby Nature Boosts Children’s Cognitive functioning.
Source: Wells, N.M. At Home with Nature: Effects of “Greenness” on Children’s Cognitive Functioning. Environment and Behavior. Vol. 32, No. 6, 775-795.

10. Children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attention-deficit disorder (ADD) showed reduce symptoms after playing in natural areas.
Source:
Kuo, F.E. & Faber Taylor, A. (2004). A potential natural treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: evidence from a national study. American Journal of Public Health 94(9):1580-1586.

Research

8 Step Plan to Disconnect Your Kids from the…

by Jodi Valenta

“School’s out for summer!”
That notorious verse by Alice Cooper brings with it thoughts of all the possibilities 10 sunlit hours brings. Aside from no schedules, studying and homework, summer means many wonderful days of hanging out at home.

The Challenge of those Wonderful Long Summer Days

Along with the fun of summer comes a bit of angst for parents. There lies ahead the challenge of keeping the kids busy and fending off boredom and bickering while all the while resisting the urge to stare at screens. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that kids shouldn’t have any screen time. The challenge is how to fill it with more hours of the day doing something else, preferably outdoors. If you have a game plan for each day, it will be easier to keep the day full with fun, quality activities. As a result, children will reap the many benefits of spending time in nature, and you will be able to carve out some time for yourself in the process.

The Plan for Success

Turn it off – Yes, turn the damn thing off! Neither your children nor you need it. Do yourself and your family a favor and stop the constant glow. Create rules that limit them to a reasonable amount of time. This link can give you information to help you determine what amount of time is best for your family
Write a plan – Ok, now sit down and figure out what you want to do this summer. It’s not about all those projects you have been meaning to finish. It is about developing a family outdoor fun plan. List all the activities (camping, biking, hiking, swimming, picnicking, etc., etc.), you would like to do and all the places you would like to go and see.
Set goals – Determine how many activities and or/day trips you want to do each day or week
Develop a schedule – Put your goals into a daily schedule. This will help keep you focused and prevent the urge to turn on the TV or another screen. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your summer calendar will fill up once you start filling in the days. Plus, you and the kids will have something to look forward to all summer. ***Added bonus, your children will appreciate having a schedule as it will help thwart the boredom bug. Plus, they can help stick with the plan.
Be prepared – There are two ways to be prepared. First, you will hear the inevitable complaints about not wanting to do the planned activities for all the typical reasons (I don’t feel like it, it’s boring, so-and-so doesn’t have to do all this stupid stuff, I’m too tired, etc., etc.). If you are prepared for the complaints, you will be better able to ignore them. Second, if you have everything organized for the activity the night before, you’ll be ready to go and won’t waste time in the morning trying to prepare and then give up because you feel like it’s too late and there are other things you could be doing.
Let It Go – Don’t worry so much about what’s not getting done and try to remember that your children are only young once and that summer provides a precious opportunity to spend quality time with them. Plus, you will notice over time that because they have had exercise, were able to breathe fresh air, felt the freedom that being in nature brings, had your undivided attention for a solid block of time and, as my dad says, “had the stink blown off of them,” they will be more willing to play independently and give you some time to yourself.
Go Outside – Even if it is as simple as digging in the dirt, drawing with driveway chalk, or lying on a blanket in the yard and watching for and listening to the birds, just get out there!
Enjoy – Yes, enjoy all the benefits of connecting your kids to nature while creating wonderful family memories.

Are you with me?

Writer’s Note – Inevitably some of my reader’s will have the opinion that summer is a time to do away with schedules and take a break from the planning and scheduling. I do not disagree. However, planning to BE OUTSIDE is very different than planning for the school year and all the activities and expectations it brings. The purpose of my 8-Step Plan is to provide parents with a strategy for breaking the screen habit and creating a new, healthier one. Experts say it takes 21 days to break an old habit and adopt a new one, so this cannot be accomplished without a serious plan of attack. Once you do it, you will find you can ease up on the plan because being outside will become a normal part of your life.

10 Reasons Why Kids Should Play Outside

8 Step Plan to Disconnect Your Kids from the…

Take the 30-Day Outdoor Challenge