Do you ensure time outside for your family?
I was recently at the bookstore with my oldest and came across a beautiful book called, “The Lost Words” by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris. Intrigued, I picked it up and flipped through and read the back, and was slightly mortified to learn the story behind this beautiful book.
The book was written in response to the discovery that in the most recent edition of the Oxford Junior Dictionary, about forty words related to nature were removed because they were no longer being used enough by children to “merit their place in the dictionary.”
Some of the words removed included: dandelion, otter, willow, and acorn.
Dandelion?
Acorn?
Aren’t these the words of childhood? I have so many memories of picking dandelions, swinging on the willow trees, and hunting for acorns as a child.
They were replaced with words like blog, bullet-point, attachment, and voice mail.
I know our world is changing rapidly as we continue through the Digital Age, but I also know that children benefit from being outside, and no matter how fast and connected we get as people, the Earth still matters. Our children having time out of doors, in nature, still matters and cultivates development in ways that our Modern Digital Devices and ways of life can not.
For Earth Day, I wanted to share some of the benefits of spending time in Nature, as well as a few ways to incorporate time in Nature into your Family Rhythms.
Benefits of Time in Nature:
- Cultivates Creativity and Exploration
- Enhances motor control, balance, coordination, and agility
- Cultivates Rest and Regulation
- Provides Sensory Input and Exposure
- Cultivates a love for the Earth, which can Cultivate a desire to take care of the Earth
Simple Ways to Incorporate Nature Time into your Family Rhythms:
-
Family Walks
- Begin (or restart!) a rhythm of going for walks in your neighborhood. Could be daily or weekly depending on your season of life. It could be a 15 minute walk after dinner or a long toddler-paced walk in the morning before nap time.
- Consider establishing a rhythm of going on hikes together once a week, a month, or a quarter. Utilize this time to check out some of the beautiful trails and hiking spots in the Saint Louis area. St Louis Mom’s very own @explorestlparks is a great resource for ideas about this!
- During your time together outside, cultivate your child’s attention through simple things like pointing out how trees are changing, the new buds you see, how the wind feels, etc. Allow time for a quiet, unrushed pace if your kids settle in.
-
Go to the Water
- During the appropriate seasons, find natural sources of water to visit regularly! This could be finding a creek or river you feel comfortable with your children exploring. This could be a lake you aim to visit to swim at a couple of times a month during the summer months or where you take your kids fishing .
-
Garden/Landscape with Your Child
- Include your child in helping care for your yard or garden or plant space. This may not increase your efficiency, yet – but – it could lead to connection, interest, and exposure for and with your child.
-
Set a Goal, Or a Boundary
- Take on a challenge as a family like the popular “1000 hours outside” or set a number of hikes or a number of new trails you want to take or try as a family.
- Implement a family routine that before screens come on, everyone must spend an a set amount of time outdoors first.
-
Community Resources
- There are so many amazing places around Saint Louis that are open for exploring nature, and some that even offer amazing events and classes for children and families. A few that come to mind include the Missouri Department of Conservation, Willoughby Farm, The Botanical Gardens, Shaw Nature Reserve, and more. Check in with their offerings on a seasonal basis and add a few to your calendar.
-
Recruit Help
- Sometimes, we have to just own the things we don’t like. If you’re not super into spending time outside, but you want your kids to benefit from time outside, think through who in your “village” could come alongside you. Do you have a spouse who loves to fish? Help get fishing trips on the calendar. Do you have an uncle, aunt, or grandparent who loves to garden? Ask them to include one of your kids in their gardening this year. Like the idea of a hike or attending a nature play event but nervous to do it on your own? Ask a friend or two if they’d join you with their kids!
Moms, I know we are doing so much. The last thing I want to do is add more to do your list, or make you feel like you’re not doing enough. If anything, I hope these ideas make getting outside seem a little more attainable and helps you decide if there is an approachable next step that feels right for you and your family. Our Earth matters, and so do you. I bet time with her – will feel good for you and for your kids.
