With the weather warming up, now’s the perfect time to reflect on how we can help our little ones build a stronger connection to the natural world. At Kiddie Academy®, we’re dedicated to instilling the values of good citizenship and an appreciation for the world, and what better way to build these qualities than by encouraging time outside?
In today’s digital age, it’s easy for children—and parents—to become absorbed in screens. But when the sun is out, make a family effort to put those tablets away! By spending time outside together, families can engage their senses, explore their surroundings and form authentic connections with the environment, and each other, while experiencing the beauty and joy of nature.
Connecting to the Earth Through Grounding
One of the simplest yet most powerful ways your child can engage with nature is through grounding—or the practice of walking barefoot on the earth. When children take off their shoes and feel the grass, dirt or sand beneath their feet, they’re not just enjoying a fun sensory experience. This connection to the earth is a form of mindfulness, helping them refocus and calm themselves. Encourage them to feel the ground between their toes and breathe long slow breaths. Through mindful breathing and a sense of being rooted in the earth, children can redirect their focus and feel more centered. This practice has been shown to improve mood and lower stress, helping your little one feel more relaxed and connected to the world around them.
Improving Sleep with Outdoor Play
The benefits of being outdoors go far beyond just fun and fresh air. Time spent outside can help improve your little one's sleep, which is crucial for a child’s overall development. Exposure to natural light helps regulate your child’s circadian rhythm, or your internal body clock that tells us when it's time to wake up or go to bed, making naps and nighttime smoother. Outdoor play also encourages physical activity such as running and jumping, which not only boosts their fitness but helps tire your little one out in a healthy way. Being active releases endorphins, which can release stress and help your child feel relaxed and ready by bedtime.
It’s Okay to Get a Little Dirty
In an effort to protect our babies from germs and dirt, we sometimes forget the important lesson that nature teaches us: dirt can actually be good for you! Playing in the dirt boosts the immune system and helps children develop a healthy resistance to common infections. Moreover, getting dirty encourages children’s natural curiosity. When they dig in the dirt or roll around in the grass, they’re not just having fun, they’re learning about how ecosystems work and the importance of preserving the environment.
Outside Voices are Healthy
When children are outside, they often use their loud outside voices, and that should be encouraged! In fact, a loud kid is a happy kid. Shouting, laughing and expressing excitement are all part of outdoor play. Young children haven’t learned how to regulate excitement, and their loud voices are often a reflection of happiness and engagement with the world around them. Let’s celebrate their enthusiasm, as these vocal expressions help your little one develop emotional regulation and confidence to express themselves freely.
Fostering Imagination and Development Through Unstructured Exploring
Unstructured exploration is one of the most important aspects of outdoor play. When children are given the freedom to roam and explore under the watchful eye of a caregiver—without a fixed schedule or structured activity—they have the opportunity to follow their interests, spark their imagination and engage in creative thinking. Whether they’re pretending to be astronauts on a new planet, or a chef baking a mud pie, unstructured play fuels the imagination. This type of play also enhances self-regulation and fosters independence as children learn to entertain themselves and make their own decisions about what to do next.
The outdoors is more than just a playground, it’s a classroom full of real-life lessons. Letting children experience the joy of being outside by running barefoot, getting dirty, using their loud voices and exploring freely gives them the tools they need to grow into empathetic, confident and responsible individuals. These experiences not only shape their childhood but will guide them as they become stewards of the planet and thoughtful, engaged citizens. So, let’s get outside and embrace the mess, the noise and the fun, while creating a generation that understands the joy and importance of connecting with the world around them.
