Childhood + Outdoor Play = Resiliency
Childhood + Outdoor Play = Resiliency
Outdoor learning and free play present numerous benefits to children. One of the many benefits - and one we value the most - is RESILIENCY. We believe that children develop a great deal of resiliency when they are exposed to the natural world and its ever-changing playscapes and challenges.
Our CEO's children attend a Nature Preschool where they spend approximately 75% of their day outside connecting with the world around them, taking risks, gaining confidence and a sense of emotional security, learning from mistakes, and beyond. Whether the young children at Nature Preschool mistakenly fall off a wobbly log, lose their balance and fall into a shallow lake, or stumble during a challenging hike, they seem to get back up with a smile on their face and continue their day with positivity. It's amazing, and it's an admirable quality for a young child to exhibit.
Try to make outdoor play and outdoor education a part of your home life if your children do not engage with Mother Nature on a regular basis during school. Dedicate a specific time each week to outdoor activities which would allow your child(ren) to safely take on risks they may not typically encounter, interact with natural materials, or navigate through a forest path. Reassure them that it's okay to get messy, that it's okay to make a mistake, and that it's okay to question all curiosities. Your children will thank you.
Control
Provide opportunities which lend a sense of control. Being sick can make a young person feel terribly out of control. Help a child or teen feel more in control by offering choices, letting him make decisions when appropriate, or help him realize that he can take an active role in his emotional health (Hint: Digging Deep can certainly help with that!)
Competence
Help a young person feel more competent by helping her identify how she is handling her challenges and already coping. Encouraging a child to ask questions, participate in managing their treatment regimes, or learn as much as possible about their disease or treatment if appropriate are all ways of fostering competence.
Coping
Respect a young person’s coping style, whatever it is: distraction, withdrawal, denial, positive reframing, etc. There are many ways to cope, and remember, coping is a healthy way of getting through a situation. At the same time, offer ideas for additional or perhaps healthier coping strategies, such as journal writing, emotional expression, art, or pet therapy.
Confidence
Help build confidence by praising the young person for overcoming obstacles and by attributing this to something the child has done, versus attributing it to good luck or chance. Provide opportunities to build confidence one step at a time, but help the young person recognize one success before moving on to the next challenge.
Connection
Give a child a strong sense of emotional security by encouraging him to express all of his feelings, and accept and support him, whatever emotions are expressed. Feeling heard helps strengthen emotional bonds.
Character
Strengthen a child’s sense of character by helping her explore who she is, what her values are, and what wisdom and gifts she has that she can share with others.
Contribution
Help a child or teen acknowledge that although he may be in a position of receiving more than he is able to give, the world is a better place because he is in it. Explore situations where the young person can truly feel he is contributing, and find ways to bring those situations into his life.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FREE-PLAY DURING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. JOIN OUR CONVERSATION.
Outdoor learning and free play present numerous benefits to children. One of the many benefits - and one we value the most - is RESILIENCY. We believe that children develop a great deal of resiliency when they are exposed to the natural world and its ever-changing playscapes and challenges.
Our CEO's children attend a Nature Preschool where they spend approximately 75% of their day outside connecting with the world around them, taking risks, gaining confidence and a sense of emotional security, learning from mistakes, and beyond. Whether the young children at Nature Preschool mistakenly fall off a wobbly log, lose their balance and fall into a shallow lake, or stumble during a challenging hike, they seem to get back up with a smile on their face and continue their day with positivity. It's amazing, and it's an admirable quality for a young child to exhibit.
Try to make outdoor play and outdoor education a part of your home life if your children do not engage with Mother Nature on a regular basis during school. Dedicate a specific time each week to outdoor activities which would allow your child(ren) to safely take on risks they may not typically encounter, interact with natural materials, or navigate through a forest path. Reassure them that it's okay to get messy, that it's okay to make a mistake, and that it's okay to question all curiosities. Your children will thank you.
Control
Provide opportunities which lend a sense of control. Being sick can make a young person feel terribly out of control. Help a child or teen feel more in control by offering choices, letting him make decisions when appropriate, or help him realize that he can take an active role in his emotional health (Hint: Digging Deep can certainly help with that!)
Competence
Help a young person feel more competent by helping her identify how she is handling her challenges and already coping. Encouraging a child to ask questions, participate in managing their treatment regimes, or learn as much as possible about their disease or treatment if appropriate are all ways of fostering competence.
Coping
Respect a young person’s coping style, whatever it is: distraction, withdrawal, denial, positive reframing, etc. There are many ways to cope, and remember, coping is a healthy way of getting through a situation. At the same time, offer ideas for additional or perhaps healthier coping strategies, such as journal writing, emotional expression, art, or pet therapy.
Confidence
Help build confidence by praising the young person for overcoming obstacles and by attributing this to something the child has done, versus attributing it to good luck or chance. Provide opportunities to build confidence one step at a time, but help the young person recognize one success before moving on to the next challenge.
Connection
Give a child a strong sense of emotional security by encouraging him to express all of his feelings, and accept and support him, whatever emotions are expressed. Feeling heard helps strengthen emotional bonds.
Character
Strengthen a child’s sense of character by helping her explore who she is, what her values are, and what wisdom and gifts she has that she can share with others.
Contribution
Help a child or teen acknowledge that although he may be in a position of receiving more than he is able to give, the world is a better place because he is in it. Explore situations where the young person can truly feel he is contributing, and find ways to bring those situations into his life.
________________________________________________________
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FREE-PLAY DURING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. JOIN OUR CONVERSATION.