Why is nature so important for child development?
Nature offers children not only almost unlimited opportunities for play, but also plenty of challenges. In play, children are repeatedly encouraged to test their own abilities: Can I do it? How do I solve this problem? Free play in nature therefore stimulates creativity more than any other form of play and strengthens a child's self-confidence. Many parents teach their children that nature is valuable and should be protected. Instead, children should perceive nature more as their natural habitat, which offers countless possibilities, some dangers and many secrets.
Experience nature with all the senses – here's how
With everything children do and see in nature they learn something. But development should never be the main focus when playing outdoors: it's about experiencing with all the senses and discovering the world around you. These experiences are strongest when children can play freely and undisturbed. Of course you can also accompany your child to the forest, meadow or lake. Who knows – if you keep your eyes open, you might discover something new and astonishing yourself.
Feel, Listen, Observe: nature in detail
Children experience their world instinctively with all their senses. Even as babies they thoroughly touch objects and put unknown things into their mouths first. You can also explore nature in this way, for example with tactile games where your child has to feel certain objects with closed eyes – a piece of bark, a chestnut or a leaf. After a short walk you can simply pause together and listen in silence for a while: What sounds do you hear and where do they come from? Try to describe the smells of the forest or meadow or find different colors and shapes in nature. This way your child gets to know nature in detail.
Water and fire: the elements that fascinate all children
When water or fire are part of play, most children are uncontrollable. Streams, lakes or even puddles exert a magical attraction on children, as do candles, torches and campfires. Water games are therefore perfect for luring children outdoors. At the same time they are a great change when things at home in the garden are starting to get boring.
Playing undisturbed at the stream
The best water play is offered by small brooks or watercourses, as are often found in woods or meadows. Here children can float little boats for hours, build bridges and dams and see what the water brings along. Preschool children should not be left unsupervised even at small watercourses – such waters often have steep, slippery banks that younger children can hardly climb.
In summer: water games for outdoors
In the warm season a water game is a welcome refreshment when there isn't time to go to the lake. A few simple tips:
Water slide: Aus Plastikplanen/Müllsäcken und einem Gartenschlauch eine Wasserrutsche bauen
Sponge fight: Provide a few buckets of water and plenty of bath sponges in the garden and let the wet-and-wild sponge fight begin
Finding treasures in an ice block: Dieses Spiel funktioniert das ganze Jahr über, in der warmen Jahreszeit macht es aber besonders viel Spaß: Eine der Gefrierfach-Schubladen ausleeren, Gummitiere etc. hineinlegen, mit Wasser auffüllen und einfrieren. Am nächsten Tag den Eisblock aus der Schublade herausklopfen und im Garten aufstellen – euer Kind muss jetzt mit einem Hammer die im Eis versteckten "treasures" finden.
How do I motivate little homebodies to play outside?
Some children are drawn outdoors in any weather:
They romp and play for hours until it gets too dark or too cold. Parents are happy – after all, fresh air is healthy and your child can burn off any excess energy. But what if a child really has to be persuaded to play outside? If the toy shelf or the PC in the child's room are more tempting than the forest and garden?
Very often little homebodies simply follow their parents' example – so the first and best tip to get children into the fresh air is: go outside yourselves! Create an incentive that makes the decision easy for your child. Maybe a long walk to the ice cream parlor? A campfire in the garden? A treasure hunt with friends in the nearby wood? If your child has something to do, they will be much more willing to go outside – often one or two friends are enough for playing together.
Experiencing nature in the city – is that possible?
A small children's garden bed on the balcony and regular visits to the park:
In this way city children can already learn a lot about nature. "Wild", unplanned nature is hardly present in metropolitan areas though – a major drawback, according to educational scientists. Untouched areas in particular encourage children to play and explore and convey experiences that they cannot have on mown lawns and among ornamental shrubs. Some cities have therefore begun to create so-called "nature-like play spaces" where children can play without educational supervision. Nature experience spaces still often serve as models – but even so there are opportunities in the city to experience nature.
Urban forests and nearby recreation areas:
Almost all larger cities have wooded areas or local recreation areas where children can play without restrictions. These often include wild-growing sections that are suitable for hiding and building dens. You should of course accompany younger children, but at primary school age children can well make their own way to the forest.
A day trip into nature:
At the weekend it doesn't always have to be the cinema or swimming pool. Why not plan a day trip with a picnic to a nature reserve? Many beautiful forest and lake landscapes are accessible by public transport – and they are not only attractive in summer, but also offer many great impressions in spring and autumn. You can find more ideas and suggestions on how to make nature accessible to city children here.
Tips and ideas for nature experiences
Nature in the dark:
Night hikes are the highlight of any class trip – but the immediate surroundings at home also become an exciting adventure after dark. Autumn and winter are best suited when it gets dark early. Plan the night walk for the weekend and equip your child with a flashlight – off you go: listen to the smells and sounds of the night and experience familiar paths in a new way at night.
Walk in the rain:
Anyone who occasionally ventures out in the rain knows how different nature smells then and how the appearance and soundscape of the surroundings change. On the next bad-weather day just take your child on a forest walk: with weatherproof clothing it's great fun to experience the impressions that rain leaves in nature.
Trip to the game enclosure:
Wild animals are in the open nature – if at all – only seen fleetingly. In a game enclosure children can observe fallow deer, roe deer, wild boar, birds of prey or pheasants in their natural habitat and still watch them at leisure. Depending on the type of enclosure, feeding sessions are often offered.
Birthday party in the forest:
From spring to autumn a children's birthday can be wonderfully celebrated in the forest, including a short forest walk, a picnic and various forest and terrain games. The good thing about such a celebration: the children can romp around to their heart's content and be as loud as they like – and the forest offers plenty of inspiration for play and discovery.
Experience nature instead of teaching nature:
Go outside together with your child – but avoid trying to teach them everything about nature. Let your child discover the new and the familiar that come together in nature with their own eyes and with all their senses. Only in this way will they experience nature for what it is: a constantly renewing, exciting space for play and life.
