Benefits of Early Nature-Based Learning with Children
Inside: No matter what the specific approach, nature-based learning provides an opportunity for children to connect with the natural world.
Remember climbing trees, making mud pies, and collecting pretty leaves as a kid? These weren’t just fun moments – they were valuable learning experiences! Today, we call this “nature-based learning,” and it’s becoming a popular choice for early childhood education. Let’s explore why getting your little ones outdoors might be one of the best decisions you can make for their development.
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Benefits of Early Nature-Based Learning with Children
This is what we used to call being a child right? We were outside playing in natural elements, jumping in puddles, and rolling around in the grass. But now there have to be forest preschools, nature-based preschools, and other early childhood programs to get kids back out into nature.
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What is Nature-Based Learning?
Think of nature-based learning as taking the classroom outside. Whether it’s a forest kindergarten, nature preschool, or regular outdoor activities, these programs let kids learn and grow in the great outdoors. Instead of sitting at desks, children might be:
- Building forts with sticks and leaves
- Learning to count using pinecones
- Making art with natural materials
- Exploring puddles, streams, and muddy spots (yes, it can get messy – and that’s okay!)
Benefits of Outdoor Play
I think that children’s development, physical health, and mental health, benefit from outdoor play, it’s about taking care of the whole child. I have tried to include getting outside into our daily routine since my children were young, my youngest would be bundled up in his stroller while his sister skated, or played on playground equipment even during cold Saskatchewan winters.
They’ll Get Stronger and Healthier
When kids play outside, they’re naturally more active. Climbing over logs, balancing on rocks, and running through green spaces helps them:
- Build stronger muscles
- Improve their balance and coordination through physical activity
- Stay physically healthy
- Sleep better at night (something every parent loves!)
They Become Better Problem Solvers
Nature is full of learning opportunities. When your child figures out how to build a leaf boat that actually floats or discovers the best rocks for stacking, they’re developing important thinking skills. Time in natural settings helps kids:
- Get better at solving problems
- Pay attention for longer periods
- Think creatively
- Understand basic science and math through hands-on experience
They Learn to Play Well with Others
There’s something special about playing in nature that helps kids become better friends and teammates it just naturally helps build better social skills. Through outdoor activities, children learn to:
- Share and work together
- Help each other over obstacles
- Use their imagination in group play
- Handle disagreements better
- Show kindness to others
What About Screen Time?
You might have heard about “nature-deficit disorder” – it’s what happens when kids spend too much time indoors with screens and not enough time outside. The good news is that nature-based learning is a wonderful antidote to too much screen time!
Forest School Activity Cards: Inspire Outdoor Learning and Adventure
With these Forest School Activity Cards, you can make use of the outdoors to introduce new concepts and encourage curiosity. Print these cards, cut them out, and put them in a jar. Each day pull a card out and do that activity.
How Can You Bring Nature Learning Home?
Even if your child isn’t in a forest school or nature preschools, you can still give them the benefits of outdoor learning even in urban settings. Here are some different ways:
In Your Backyard or Local Park
- Create a small garden together
- Make outdoor scavenger hunts
- Collect natural treasures like pretty leaves or interesting rocks
- Build with sticks and other natural loose parts
- Watch insects and birds together
On Rainy Days
- Splash in puddles with or without proper rain gear! These are core memories that you are creating with your children
- Watch how water flows and creates paths
- Look for worms and other creatures that come out in the rain
- Observe how plants and trees look different when wet
In Urban Settings
Don’t have easy access to wild spaces? No problem! You can:
- Visit local parks and green spaces, nature trails
- Create nature collections on windowsills
- Plant herbs in window boxes
- Take nature walks around the block to observe trees, plants, and seasonal changes
What Teachers and Experts Say
Early childhood educators who work in outdoor programs see amazing results. They report that children who spend more time in nature are:
- More confident
- Better at focusing
- More curious about the world
- Happier and calmer
- More likely to care about the environment
Nature-based learning isn’t just good for your child – it’s fun! When kids learn through outdoor unstructured play and exploration, they don’t even realize they’re developing important life skills. They’re just having a great time! You can create outdoor play areas in your backyard, on your condo patio even.
Nature Drawing Prompt Pages
Ignite your child’s creativity and love for the great outdoors with our Nature Drawing Prompt Pages. Designed to inspire young artists, these pages are the perfect tool for fostering a deep connection to the natural world while honing artistic skills.
Creating Outdoor Play Areas for Kids: Backyard & Patio Ideas
Encouraging outdoor play is essential for children’s development, and you don’t need a huge yard to create a fun, engaging space. Whether you have a spacious backyard or a small patio, there are creative ways to design a play area that suits your space and your child’s interests.
Backyard Play Spaces
If you have a larger outdoor area, consider adding:
- Natural Play Areas: Logs, stumps, and boulders can create a climbing and balancing space that blends with nature.
- Garden Play Zones: A small garden bed or raised planter box allows kids to dig, plant, and explore gardening.
- DIY Obstacle Courses: Use tires, stepping stones, or a rope course to keep kids active.
- Swing Sets & Climbing Structures: A classic backyard addition that encourages movement and imaginative play.
Small Patio Play Areas
Even with limited space, you can design a fun outdoor play area:
- Sensory Bins or Water Play: A simple tub filled with sand, water, or pebbles provides hours of exploration.
- Vertical Play Walls: Attach chalkboards, magnetic boards, or climbing grips to walls or fences.
- Foldable or Portable Play Items: Consider a collapsible tent, a mini balance beam, or a rolling art station that can be stored when not in use.
- Container Gardening: Let kids care for small potted plants or grow herbs in a small corner of the patio.
No matter the size of your outdoor space, simple additions like outdoor seating, fairy lights, or a weatherproof rug can make it a cozy and inviting play area. The key is to design a space that encourages creativity, movement, and hands-on exploration!
As our world becomes more digital, connecting children with nature becomes even more important. The good news is that more schools and programs are embracing outdoor learning, and it’s easier than ever to find ways to get your child involved with nature.
Remember, you don’t need fancy equipment or a forest in your backyard to give your child the benefits of nature-based learning. Start small, get outside together, and watch your child grow, learn, and thrive in the natural world!
Want More?
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