Home activities to keep the family connected to the natural world from home
We need nature, always; Even when for some reason like an illness, we can’t. Everyone, both children and adults, have needs for movement and play without walls, fresh air, dirt, a sense of freedom… basic needs that, if not covered, cause irritability, anger and even sadness. Therefore, following these tips you can help children connect with nature without leaving home.
When we can’t leave home and enjoy nature
According to the article published in the Journal of Forestry written by Abigail R. Kimbell, Andrea Schuhmann and Hutch Brown, children spend less and less time in nature. As a result, they do not learn to love it and sedentary lifestyle increases. However, we cannot forget that contact with nature and the outdoors is essential to develop individual creativity and happiness, as well as allowing us to vent and release tensions.
Therefore, in a situation where we can not leave home, it is easy for overwhelm and anguish to determine our behavior and our mood. First and foremost, as an adult, stay calm. You are the pillar that holds, that reinforces, that nourishes, that calms. Our children often do not know how to manage what is happening to them and simply express their discomfort, anxiety, uncertainty, their need for air and freedom in multiple ways, although they are not always the most pleasant for adult perception. So breathe and when this happens – fights, outbursts, more tantrums than usual, pee in bed – give him all the love he needs in those moments.
When we cannot approach nature, it is important that it is present in our lives in a simple way and valuing the little things, now more than ever. That’s why I encourage you to stay home and incorporate some proposals that can help maintain our vitamin D, our connection to the natural world and our inner calm.
Tips that help maintain connection to the natural world
What can we do to keep children connected to nature while at home? Let’s look at some tips.
1. Whenever you can, go out to the balcony, garden or terrace
If you do not have or cannot, open the curtains and let the light enter through the windows. It is important that it gives us sunlight.
2. If there is sun, take a few seconds to greet Him
Close your eyes and imagine that you are taking a bath of sun and that it reaches our cells, who are infinitely happy to receive those rays of sun. Let’s keep our vitamin D levels high!
3. Open windows every day for a little
while It is important that it gives us fresh air. And take a few minutes to breathe deeply.
4. Have contact with the natural elements that are around
you If you have the possibility of having natural elements, make proposals where these are the protagonists. Touch the natural element, smell it, transform it, paint it… They are ways to connect with nature.
5. Take advantage of this time to sow
If you have a balcony or terrace, you can always do it in pots outside. If not, inside, with recycled material, it is also a wonderful option. The important thing is to connect with the station we are in at that moment. Time of planting of some species, flowering of others… It is a way of seeing the evolution of the seed and teaching children how nature works.
It is beautiful to see how this seed develops with our care and our attentive gaze. You can approach her every day, sing to her, see how she is, pamper her and write down her evolution. Soon it will be a small squad that you can transplant. It is a nice metaphor to talk with our sons and daughters about the importance of daily care, of being attentive, of taking care of each other and dedicating little moments that feed us.
More keys to connect with nature while at home
6. Sounds of nature
If you have the option of listening to the chirping of the birds from our window, do it every day a little. If you can identify which birds or animals you see from there, great! If you can’t, I suggest that every day you spend some time traveling to the forests through the sounds of nature. There are many biophonies that bring us closer to the forests and their magical sounds.
7. Painting nature
There are children – and adults – who are passionate about painting. I propose you to paint nature where you would like to be at that moment. Field? Beach? Forest? Where will you travel with your imagination to enjoy the fresh air and nature? It can help you to put relaxing music in the background and it is usually a proposal that brings calm.
8. Play with mud or clay
Finally, for those moments of emotional explosion, let’s turn to the wonderful world of clay or mud. Of course, communication above all, but mud is an element that can help us a lot to transform emotions. Its touch evokes and allows to be. Touch clay, without a pretension or specific craftsmanship, with the intention of seeing what appears and what it transforms; without waiting for a specific result. It’s the process that matters here.
Let your imagination run free because every child – every adult – will do what they need at that moment. If at the end you want to share, it will be a moment of family bond. But if you do not feel like it, let’s also respect that space of transformation and give the option to each person to choose what they want to do with their creation. For this proposal I also recommend quiet instrumental music to accompany.
In this period, more than ever, let’s connect with nature!
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