1) Think outside the box (home). Think about the activities you typically do in the home and what can be done outside... For any meal - have a picnic outside instead of eating at the dining room or kitchen table. Homework - sit on the deck, front stoop or in the driveway instead of inside the home. Fresh air is good for your brain.
2) Share your own experiences with nature with your children in a storytelling fashion. Let them know of your adventures with nature and express to them your sensations and emotions from those experiences. Share your sense of gratitude for the benefits you enjoy from nature. They will want to have some of those experiences too.
3) If your child has not spent a lot of time outdoors - recognize that he/she may not feel comfortable. Ease them into being outdoors - have them come with you for quick snippets of outside - to get the mail, bring in the trash, etc... Point out the elements of nature that you come across in these short times. Then bring them along for activities that take a little more time - gardening or some type of play activity. Talk to them about what you encounter and peak their curiosity for more.
4) Pay attention to your child's interests, talents and preferences. Get into them before you ask them to get into nature. Orient your outside activities to their interests and preferences. For those who are active and like activity - find places to take hikes and climb. For those who are into art - spend time outside casually with them and point out the elements of art in nature: colors, textures, shapes, etc.. Have them capture what you see in a sketch book.
5) Try to work up to having a 'Green Hour' each day. Whether it's in your backyard or at a nearby park try to spend an hour a day with your child outside.
6) Engage all of the senses. When you are outside with your child help them to experience outdoors with all the senses. Point out the different colors and shades of colors in nature. Touch the plants or trees to feel the textures. Have them smell what you are touching. Be still for a moment and listen with them to the breeze, insects, or birds. Find or grow some strawberry or blackberry bushes and pick the fresh fruit with them - wash it and enjoy.
7) Keep it simple for the daily doses of nature. If you have to plan elaborate details or pack a lot of things - it's harder to engage in the outdoors daily. Either you or your child won't feel like gathering the materials or you won't have the time. Engaging in nature can easily be done in a simple fashion that yields fun and interesting results...and often great surprises. There are times when more grandiose outings can and should be planned. Make those plans when you can but create a simple and easy habit of spending casual time outdoors with your children.
8) Allow them to be plugged-in and unplugged. While they are outside and unplugged peak their curiosity about your outdoor experiences with questions about animals or plants you see or hear, or maybe about the weather. Then let them plug-in to a computer and do some research about those questions when they are inside.
9) Turn it over to them. Once your child is comfortable outdoors, step back as the leader and turn it over to him/her. Let them lead the outside experiences and determine how your time outside will be spent.
10) Be social and viral. Start a local nature club for the children in your area. Engage children and families in your community outdoors and let them spread the word about the adventures that await even in your own backyards.
Mission JNPA provides quality educational products and related services that enrich public understanding and appreciation of America's national parks, public lands, and historic places.
