5 Questions About Children in Nature

Q&A

5 Questions About CHILDREN IN NATURE

A Q&A with SARAH COLES

STORY BY LORIE A. WOODWARD

America—and many other countries—are urbanizing at an unprecedented rate. In Texas, for instance, it is anticipated that 80 percent of the state’s population will live in cities by 2035.

As more people congregate in sprawling cities, the impact extends beyond the escalating demand for natural resources. The physical and mental health of humans are affected in ways scientists are just beginning to understand. Children are particularly vulnerable.

In the early 2000s, research emerged showing that children were spending less time outdoors and more time with media; at the same time childhood obesity rates were increasing at an alarming rate. Within a matter of one generation, our society was radically changing, and sedentary, virtual interactions were replacing outdoor play. In 2005, Richard Louv published his seminal book, “Last Child in The Woods: Saving Children from Nature Deficit Disorder” that spotlighted the issue and launched a grassroots movement to address it.

At the urging of Texas legislators, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department took on the challenge of getting children outdoors. Those initial efforts by the agency and a wide-ranging group of stakeholders were incubated for a decade and grew into the standalone non-profit Texas Children in Nature Network (TCiNN).

Today, TCiNN is a grassroots network of over 900 partner organizations and individuals who are working together to connect children and families with nature in Texas. Each partner brings unique perspectives and solutions to the network, while working cooperatively to create synergy and results. The pioneering program is being emulated across the nation.

I sat down with Sarah Coles, TCiNN’s Executive Director, to discuss the importance of getting children outdoors.

1. What are the benefits of getting children into the outdoors?

SC: The unplanned play that unfolds organically when kids are outside brings a host of physical, mental, emotional and cognitive benefits. When children are engaged in free play, they are forming connections between their brains and bodies that provide the basis for balance and motor skills while also developing physical strength and problem-solving skills. Free play is active, so it burns calories and helps regulate weight and encourages deep sleep.

For people with ADD or mental health challenges, nature provides the backdrop for self-soothing and prompts our brains to release chemicals that lift mood and calm anxiety. Group free play teaches social skills, negotiation, leadership and cooperation.

Because we evolved as part of nature, the outdoors is our learning laboratory.

One of the first times we, as a society, became aware of the impact on nature and children was at the beginning of the 20 th century as the Industrial Revolution picked up steam. Families moved from farms to cities. City leaders determined that children needed places to play, and the first playgrounds were born.

If you’ll notice, traditional playground equipment mimics the shapes of trees, logs, steep banks and other natural features to engage kids in physical activities. When children perform daredevil stunts at the top of the monkey bars, they are expressing the innate drive to develop the part of the brain that is developed when youngsters climb trees.

Interestingly, playgrounds are coming full circle and builders are using natural materials like logs to create the play equipment.

2. What do kids lose if they are denied time and play in nature?

SC: Children without access to nature can miss developmental milestones. When kids are scrambling over rocks, balancing on tree limbs or walking on uneven surfaces, they’re engaging their bodies and minds to develop abilities that have long been crucial for human survival. When kids are free playing those abilities develop without specific effort, when they are not climbing trees, sliding down muddy banks and zigzagging through fallen logs, these skills must be consciously developed.

Researchers are seeing deficits in things such as depth perception and balance. Occupational therapists are being called in to remediate the shortfalls that have been created because many children now sit and stare at screens instead of careening around the park or backyard.

One occupational therapist who I work with has purchased acreage and moved her practice outdoors. She gets the kids back on track by letting them play on tree trunks, rocks and logs and incorporating that into her practice.

At the risk of repeating myself, the entire body is engaged in natural play. Sometimes you’ll see children sitting still outdoors with their tongues lolled out. It looks funny to adults, but it’s a signal that the child is thinking through an experience and the entirety of their bodies and minds are engaged. It’s an essential type of learning that can’t be replicated easily.

3. What are the barriers to getting children outdoors?

SC: There are several barriers, but arguably the biggest is access. In most towns and cities, the number of people far exceeds the amount of green space available to explore. For us Texans, the problem is amplified because 95 percent of the land is privately owned, so there is a very limited amount of parkland.

TCiNN is engaged with cities, towns and schools to make the most of the land that exists within their boundaries. For instance, we’ll work with a city’s water department to develop the riparian areas along streams and creeks as parkland. Libraries can be prime places to create green spaces so kids can read and play.

A second challenge is ensuring that outdoor space is distributed across a city and not just consolidated in one small area. We’re working with the Trust for Public Land on an initiative called 10-Minute Walks. The idea is that we should strive to have a park or somewhere green that people can walk to within 10 minutes, which translates to about a half a mile.

The third challenge is finding and committing the time to go outdoors. For kids to get the physical, mental and cognitive benefits of deep play, a state where they become so submersed in play that the rest of the world including parents ceases to exist in their periphery, it takes about 45 minutes. Achieving deep play takes a chunk of time, and while children don’t have to experience deep play every day, they do need it regularly.

We’re working with Texas Christian University and the state’s public-school systems to figure out how more outdoor play time can be incorporated into the school day without taking away from instruction time.

Being outside for less time still packs powerful health benefits. The sun provides Vitamin D, fresh air helps to improve our digestion, blood pressure, heart rate and immune system. Even the leaves emit a compound that reduces anxiety and cortisol levels. To get the basic health benefits such as these only takes 120 minutes per week or 17 minutes per day.

Seventeen minutes a day is doable, beneficial, achievable and something worth scheduling into our days. Even better, parents could use it the starting goal for breaking the cycle of busyness in their households.

4. What is your best advice for adults who are wanting to successfully introduce the children in their sphere to nature and outdoor activities?

SC: I’m going to give you a personal example of what not to do. My parents made it a point for our family to get outside together. And even with all their experience, they set up a 25-mile mountain bike ride for us when I was in the seventh grade. I wasn’t thrilled about going to begin with, but the marathon ride ended up with me crying in a mud puddle. It was the last time I ever went mountain biking.

Instead of going big, especially in the beginning, start small. Make it manageable. Make it fun.

Every day we have prompts on our Instagram account for family-friendly nature walks that can be done anywhere. Nature can happen in your neighborhood. We also offer other idea starters and resources on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Seek out planned activities like those offered by our partners that include museums, park departments, non-profit organizations. Sometimes it’s easier just to show up and enjoy activities that someone else has planned because it really takes the pressure off.

And keep at it until you find things that you and your kids enjoy. It may take some trial and error. Outdoor experiences are not-onesize-fits-all and different activities appeal to different people. A colleague’s favorite activity is reading a book sitting under a tree, while I’m a walker.

When kids are scrambling over rocks, balancing on tree limbs or walking on uneven surfaces, they’re engaging their bodies and minds to develop abilities that have long been crucial for human survival. 4

5. Although you are a Texas-based organization, can adults from different parts of the country contact TCiNN for resources and reach out to in their own states?

SC: Absolutely. When people ask what I do, I tell them that I’m a professional matchmaker—and I’m only half joking. A big portion of my job is connecting people with resources, organizations and other likeminded individuals.

Email me at scoles@texaschildreninnature.org or call me at (512) 434-0815, and I’ll do what I can to help you get children in nature.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TEXAS CHILDREN IN NATURE NETWORK, CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING ONLINE RESOURCE:

Texas Children in Nature