Do you know why we have to take end-of-year trips in nature?
At Explora Natura, we offer End-of-Year Nature Trips. As teachers and parents, we've often heard how important play is for children (and adults), whether with their own parents or their classmates. The truth is, children need frequent access to nature and time in the countryside to thrive.
Last week, it appeared on the blog of the newspaper El País, Learning Together, an interview with the educator Heike Freire who pointed out the importance of learning in contact with nature.
At Explora Natura, we design end-of-year trips in nature because we are convinced that we need to break with this trend; we need to return to nature. Especially for children and young people.
In this blog post, we want to give you a broader view of why going outside and doing activities in nature is so important for children and young people.
1. It's normal to play outdoors, not in a room
Playing indoors has become the norm for children. Unlike in the past, children now struggle to play outdoors. Many factors contribute to this, but we must break this trend that has us trapped. Children's time is often over-scheduled, so much so that they end up with a lifestyle that seems more adult than childlike.
There are others who are so glued to their computer screens that they're barely aware of what's happening in the real world. In many cases, excessive overprotection means they hardly ever go outside. As unfortunate as it may sound, all these factors are contributing to the decline of outdoor play.
A school trip can be such an enriching experience that it can help us change our unhealthy habits. Connecting with nature means getting to know it, understanding it, and wanting to stay in the countryside. The end result will be people who radiate self-confidence and good health.
Children who play outdoors in nature automatically learn to take appropriate risks in life. There are an infinite number of games that can be played outdoors.
2. Limit screen time
Do you know how much time a child can spend in front of a screen? It can be more than seven hours a day. It could be in front of the television, the computer, or a smartphone… This inhibits a child's development. The universal truth is that no rule about screen time for children is positive. Sometimes, we are also to blame. We need television to come to our rescue so we can have a 20-minute break and enjoy "my time" in peace.
In the end, we all ended up feeling guilty.
On a daily basis, playing in the park or countryside would not only keep them away from the television screen, but would also improve their overall health. One doesn't have to go to the park every day. Children can play in the backyard, plant some trees in the garden area, ride bikes in the streets, hike in the nearby mountains, or simply go for a walk.
And from time to time, plan something bigger. When children go outside, they automatically distance themselves from television and video games. The outdoors will be much more beneficial for them.
3. Physical and mental benefits
The nature we see on television is very different from the real world. Therefore, the only way to fully experience nature is to get out there. From the singing birds and the buzzing bees to the beautiful sunset, we must stop and experience the freshness that nature offers us everywhere. We are committed to natural spaces.
Direct contact with nature has mental and physical benefits. It has been shown to improve mood and help reduce depression and mental fatigue. Children who engage in outdoor play also benefit from increased flexibility and improved gross and fine motor skills. More time spent outdoors also improves vision and reduces inflammation in the body.
Furthermore, it can also help children with their academic performance by improving their concentration levels. Can you imagine your children enjoying watching an Iberian lynx in the heart of Doñana National Park?
4. Nature brings out the best in children
In theory, playing indoors seems easy because we don't have to worry about the sun, rain, or strangers. However, such a controlled environment limits a child's potential. The benefits of playing in nature are almost endless. Spending time in nature keeps a child's mind fresh.
Furthermore, it exposes them to diverse situations where they are forced to learn and adapt to the conditions of each moment. For example, walking on a muddy surface. They have to adapt to uneven conditions and surfaces, which helps them refine their coordination and balance skills.
Children who spend time outdoors also develop better risk management skills. It's a skill they learn, and they become better at assessing risk. Their problem-solving abilities also improve, and they develop a greater appreciation for sports.
Furthermore, children become tougher both mentally and physically as they learn and adapt to the outside world. So, don't be that parent who is unable to overcome their fear of the outdoors, or you will end up depriving your child of all the things that nature has to offer.
5. It promotes independence
Of course, they must always be supervised by adults. It's essential. Explora Natura has specialized field staff and teaching experience; children will always be accompanied by adults.
It's easier for a child to hurt themselves falling out of bed than playing outdoors. Immersed in our personal theories and myths, aren't we creating children who will be overly dependent?
Remember, fear of the outdoors is not an option. A normal childhood is one filled with healthy outdoor adventures. We cannot deprive children of this. These days, children play much more indoors than outdoors.
Our parents may not have been perfect, but they gave us enough freedom to connect with nature. So, today's concept of "house arrest" is quite disconcerting. It's unfortunate that children are being deprived of contact with nature because they're missing out on a lot of fun-filled memories that only nature can offer.
6. Social benefits
That expensive smartphone suddenly becomes boring when we delete the social media apps, right? Television isn't the best if we don't have a cable subscription. Video games aren't entertaining unless there are new updates. Let's face it; our kids are hooked on self-destructive habits because they don't have a proper social life. At least, not a healthy one!
When children step outdoors, they have many opportunities to interact with others. In nature, they can connect with others, help each other, share their learning, and solve problems together. Children often collaborate to have the best experience. They can also connect with classmates, make new friends, and more. Furthermore, it helps them act freely while taking responsibility for their actions.
7. It promotes intelligence
It has already been proven that nature provides children with a respite from stress. Numerous studies demonstrate how walking in nature can eliminate stress. And here's the icing on the cake: it also promotes a healthy lifestyle in children. While the internet can also help foster intelligence, it doesn't provide the experiential knowledge necessary to become not only intelligent but also resourceful and capable of facing life's challenges.
Depending on the exposure, the effect can be relatively small or large. However, every little bit counts. We all know that happy, stress-free, and intelligent children are more likely to succeed in life. Time spent in nature offers all these benefits to your children.
8. Improves children's confidence
True confidence isn't about winning a fight in a video game. A child's confidence issues can be significantly addressed by allowing them to connect with nature, where they can experience the real world firsthand.
Nature can act as a powerful healing tool for children with low self-esteem. Children exposed to the natural world experience greater self-control, peace, and discipline. Armed with such skills, a person's confidence level is sure to improve.
9. Preserve nature
The level of industrialization in our society shows no signs of slowing down. Nearly 100 species die every day due to tropical deforestation. The increase in human needs, including the need for living space, has forced us to plunder nature and forests, causing more pollution and other ecosystem-related problems. Granted, we cannot change the past, but we can take action for a better future. By raising awareness about nature, we could be saving future generations from catastrophic events.
Since children will be the ones making decisions in the future, connecting them with the natural world will help preserve Mother Nature. As they connect closely with nature, they will understand what truly matters in life, and this will lead them to be more respectful of our planet.
Other key benefits of connecting with nature:
Children who play more outdoors get sick less often than children who are confined to indoor spaces. Frequent exposure to and contact with nature helps improve the immune system. As a result, a child is better able to fight off potential illnesses.
Obesity has become a leading cause of premature death. Children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to be obese. Physical activities like walking, hiking, or playing in nature keep them active and also help them manage their weight.
The connection with nature also helps them interact better with adults. Nature itself promotes peace and harmony. Therefore, children also learn to manage their anger to a great extent.
Being able to solve problems on your own and the ability to take calculated risks when necessary will boost your self-esteem.
Children who spend most of their time in front of a screen have no idea how to manage their time when the screen isn't available. Interacting with nature offers them better alternatives for making the most of their time. Therefore, spending time outdoors in nature is the best way to spend the day.
For all these reasons and many more, at Explora Natura we offer something different: trips and excursions that will change the lifestyle and future of many children. End-of-year trips in nature. Don't miss out!
