Why Is It Important To Introduce Children To Nature?
The outdoors can be our first teacher, our first discovery, and our first love. Today, we are going to be talking about the importance of introducing children to nature and all of its many benefits!
Hello adventurers, and welcome back to the Coastal Expeditions blog! Today we are going to be talking about and discussing our youngest adventurers, and how introducing children at a young age to the great outdoors can be beneficial and important. There is nothing like growing up in the Lowcountry or your first trip to the beach. You might not remember putting that first fistful of sand in your mouth, your first bad sunburn, or your first accidental gulp of saltwater. What you will remember is the sand between your toes, the smell of salt air, finding your first shark tooth, and seeing a crab up close or a dolphin jumping out of the waves. You’ll remember the giant trees of the Francis Marion Natural Forrest, the reflections of the setting sun on Shem Creek, and the surf gently kissing your ankles at the end of a long hot day on Folly Beach. The outdoors can teach us so much first hand, create incredible memories, and offer each of us so many health benefits. This is why it is so important to introduce children to nature at a young age.
We are so passionate about this idea at Coastal Expeditions that we offer a multitude of educational opportunities and tours just for children. These include the Kid’s Bulls Island Adventure, Young Naturalists Camp at Shem Creek, Young Naturalist Camp at Kiawah River, the After School Kayaking Program, Kid’s Fossil Adventure, and the Tidal Creek Camp!
[Why Is Outdoor Learning So Important?]
There is nothing like experiencing your education outdoors. Where better to do so than right outside your back door? We’ve all been at home this past year more than ever, learning and taking classes on our computers and smart devices. Why not take a break and take your child’s classroom outside?
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Outdoor learning allows children to have first-hand experiences, learn new skills, and it gives practical experience that is enjoyable and important.
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Outdoor learning can help develop problem-solving techniques, teamwork, critical thinking, and can be applied to many different areas of education.
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It is so much fun for both teacher and student alike to be outdoors! An inspired teacher or parent is incredibly appealing to listen to and learn from!
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A change of pace and environment can boost and inspire better behavior and longer attention spans.
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Introducing the outdoors to our children helps them develop an appreciation for the natural world around them, and it helps develop an understanding of its importance and why it needs to be respected and cared for.
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We’ve mentioned in previous blogs that hiking, SUP, and many of our other outdoor activities can improve one’s mental and physical wellbeing. It does the exact thing for a child, helping to boost their mental, physical, and emotional health.
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Outdoor learning can help in a child’s development. According to thestablecompany.com, being outside inspires children to work better together in groups, helps nurture their creativity, confidence, independence, problem-solving skills, and much more.
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Getting outside and using nature as a classroom can help boost a child’s overall academic performance and skills. It also helps strengthen, nurture, and improve their social and personal skills.
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It will naturally increase a child’s physical activity, promoting running, climbing, balancing, swinging, exploring, and more.
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Outdoor education and outdoor experiences from a young age inspires tactile curiosity, exposure to the elements, exposes children to risks for the first time, and basic stimuli of all their developing senses.
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It helps children create a lifelong relationship with the outdoors, and helps them stay active and healthy. It inspires a lifelong interest in protecting the world around them.
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Outdoor learning can help build resilience.
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It helps children develop a sense of dangerous and hazardous situations and how to respect and avoid them.
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Outdoor learning inspires young children to be more attentive, helping them to remember important information and facts.
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It is a very positive change away from digital learning.
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Bright sunlight helps children’s eyesight develop properly, decreasing issues like nearsightedness.
[How Do You Introduce Your Child To Nature?]
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Start by simply opening the door and exploring together. While you’ve had many years to explore the outdoors, this will be their first experience. See it through their eyes and take it slow.
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Introduce the idea of being outside with an indoor play tent or a fort you build together. Talking about and pretending to be outdoors transferred very well from playtime into real-time. They will already have a connection to it and can visualize it and have something tangible to connect to before experiencing it first hand. This can help with their comfort levels and understanding what is happening around them when you do go outside and explore.
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If your child shows enthusiasm and excitement for outdoor activities, continue with getting them involved with them!
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Make those outdoor experiences, like walking, camping, or hikes extra fun. Play games, make outings interesting and use these opportunities to introduce them to new things.
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Since we are such a technologically driven society, use it to your benefit! There are so many apps that teach about the outdoors or can be used on hikes and on visits to national parks, that you can continue learning before, during, and after your outdoor adventures.
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Introduce your child to the names of different birds, bugs, trees, stones, plants, and more to get your little ones excited about what they are seeing and finding.
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Grow a small garden together. Teach them through doing, and work on the project together. Letting them have something to work towards and to be proud of can grow their interest.
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Start sooner rather than later. The earlier you introduce them to being outside, the more they will have an interest in being apart of it.
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Those inclined to spend more time outdoors tend to be more physically fit and have a better quality of life overall. They tend to get sick less often and choose to participate in actives and a lifestyle that is positive and happy. It helps keep stress and anxiety down, leaving youngsters to feel free and refreshed.
[What are the health benefits of a child being outdoors?]
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The extra exposure to the sun and natural vitamin D helps in the development of the immune system, helps with sleep, and improves one’s overall mood.
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According to Havard Health, a child should be active for at least one hour every day. Outdoor activities and playtime is the best exercise for children.
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According to Standford Health, when children burn more calories outdoors, it helps prevent obesity, helps strengthen their muscles, and helps strengthen their bones.
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Exposure to vitamin D helps prevent chronic diseases.
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Being outdoors as often as possible helps build and strengthen a child’s sensory skills.
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Stanford Health states that outdoor light helps to stimulate the pineal gland. This is what strengthens one’s immune system and also helps increase one’s happiness and good mood.
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Being outdoors reduces stress and fatigue.
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Being outdoors helps children to focus, especially those with ADHD.
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Being outdoors can be their first introduction to their imagination, creativity, and make-believe.
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Motor skills, muscle strength, and a lower body mass can come from spending more time outdoors!
There is no teacher quite like Mother Nature for children of all ages, which is why we dedicate so much to our educational opportunities for every adventurer. We are just big kids ourselves, who get to play outdoors for a living and share what we love with everyone who enjoys our expeditions! If you’re looking for new and exciting ways to get your little adventurers involved in the outdoors, come explore with us! Go to www.coastalexpeditions.com/kids to learn more, and book your child’s next adventure! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or comments. We will see you soon! Until next time, get outside and get exploring!
Explore. Chat. Visit. And come on back, y’all.
@coastalexpeditions
St. Phillips Island & Beaufort Rentals
Offering Kayaks and Paddleboards
Take in the stunning beauty of local creeks and waters from one of our kayaks or SUPs. Walk-ups are welcome or call / text to book and we’ll be ready when you are. All gear and instruction provided.
Call or text 843.884.7684 to book.
Outpost Location
Need A Guide?
If you really want to get a feel for the local history, identify the native wildlife, and get to special places, you'll need someone experienced to show you the way. We'll get you there.
Check out our St. Phillips Island & Beaufort tours.
Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant Rentals
Offering Kayaks and Paddleboards
Take in the stunning beauty of local creeks and waters from one of our kayaks or SUPs. Walk-ups are welcome or call / text to book and we’ll be ready when you are. All gear and instruction provided.
Call or text 843.884.7684 to book.
Outpost Location
Need A Guide?
If you really want to get a feel for the local history, identify the native wildlife, and get to special places, you'll need someone experienced to show you the way. We'll get you there.
Check out our Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant tours.
Isle of Palms Rentals
Offering Kayaks and Paddleboards
Take in the stunning beauty of local creeks and waters from one of our kayaks or SUPs. Walk-ups are welcome or call / text to book and we’ll be ready when you are. All gear and instruction provided.
Call or text 843.884.7684 to book.
Outpost Location
Need A Guide?
If you really want to get a feel for the local history, identify the native wildlife, and get to special places, you'll need someone experienced to show you the way. We'll get you there.
Check out our Isle of Palms tours.