Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

05-22-2025

Help Your Child Spend Time in Nature

Children spend most of their time indoors—in school, in their homes, and riding in cars instead of walking. Many are isolated from nature. Yet only by experiencing the natural world can they learn to understand and respect it.

Positive outdoor experiences are an important part of healthy child development. They enhance learning and the quality of life over a person's lifetime.

To help your child enjoy and value nature:

Show how much you enjoy the natural world. Your own sense of wonder—more than scientific facts—is what will ignite your child's love of nature.
Model caring and respect for nature. Talking about the Earth is far less effective than doing things together like treating plants and animals with care, and properly disposing of trash.
Go outside with your child every day. A one-time trip to the park or nature center will have little long-term impact on a child. Kids learn best from frequent exposure.
Begin with simple experiences. For example, focus on a single tree in a back yard or playground before venturing out into a heavily wooded area.
Let your child learn from touching and experiencing—rather than simply from listening to you. Don't expect your child to watch and listen very long. Focus on your child's interests.
Give your child tools for investigating the environment—like a magnifying glass, bucket, shovel and rake.

Brought to you by:

Title I Non Public Services
Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22

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