How To Raise A Child Who Loves Nature

In today’s media-savvy generation, children have a lot available to them at the tips of their fingers. However, the longer they keep their eyes and fingers glued to technology, the less time they spend enjoying the beauty and wonder of nature outdoors.

⇒ Related Read: Benefits Of Exposing Your Children To Nature

For a long time, research has confirmed that children who spend substantial amounts of time in nature from early in their life are generally more motivated to be outdoors as they grow older, and this inevitably yields many physical, mental and emotional benefits for them as adults.

How To Raise A Child Who Loves Nature

Greater exposure to nature also enhances their creativity and ability to focus and concentrate. Plus, running around outdoors is the best way to stay fit and healthy from young.

⇒ Related Read: Top 5 places for outdoor learning

To know these facts is one thing, but to cultivate a nature-loving attitude and lifestyle in our children is a whole different ballgame.

Here are ways to encourage children to embrace and enjoy all that nature has to offer.

1. Embrace the wonder of nature

Children catch more than they are taught. Telling children to “go on, get out there and explore” will only go so far as they see you getting “out there” yourself! The best way to pique your children’s curiosity and wonder about nature is to be curious and wondering about nature yourself. Take time to point out interesting leaves, bugs and flowers when you’re walking outdoors, make sandcastles together with them at the beach, pick up fallen leaves and twigs and bring them home to start your family’s own nature collection.

2. Make fun memories

Intentionally plan family activities and schedule routines that make nature a part of your everyday life in a fun way. For instance, Sunday afternoon picnics at your neighbourhood park, kite-flying at Marina Barrage or looking for interesting leaves on the daily walk to and from school. If you have a balcony or garden, get your kids involved in caring for plants, or even give them their own plot of land or rack of plants to be in charge of. Some of these activities are ideal for many a science lesson on-the-go too!

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3. Make nature-inspired art

How to get your child to love nature

Get creative with objects found in nature. Take sketch walks with your children, or bring home fallen treasures to craft with. Some suggestions here to jog your creativity: Leaf printing, pressed flowers, collecting a jar of saga seeds, story rocks, and painted twig mobiles.

4. Get offline on a regular basis

Schedule in times when no one is allowed to be plugged into any sort of technology. Besides the obvious meal times when technology should be banned, consider having a stretch of time on a daily or weekly basis where everyone is hands-free and out of the house. It may be hard to institute such a habit at first, but persevere on and know that it’s worth it.

5. Go on an adventure “in the wild”

Ways to Raise A Child Who Loves Nature

Step out of your comfort zone every once in a while, and do something adventurous in nature. One family I know has regular camping trips at East Coast Park – yes, they literally pitch a tent and “camp out” for a few days, mess tins and outdoor cooking included. When you’re planning holiday accommodations, check out farm-stay options instead of booking a hotel room.

⇒ Related Read: Wildlife sanctuaries to visit in Asia

By Dorothea Chow.

This is part of The New Age Parents “How To Raise A Child” series. Read other parts of the series here:

How To Raise A Child Who Loves Reading
How To Raise A Child Who Loves Writing
How To Raise A Child Who Loves School
How To Raise A Child Who Loves Their Sibling
How To Raise A Child Who Loves Their Learning
How To Raise A Child Who Loves To Eat Nutritious Food