Cowichan Valley Young Naturalists

Scouts Canada - Cowichan Valley Groups

Girl Guides of Canada - Cowichan Valley Groups
 

Being out in nature is good for children. Experiencing the complexity and diversity of nature enhances brain development. Physical activity on unpredictable surfaces improves balance and coordination. Natural areas tend to be safe and peaceful, building confidence and emotional stability. With minimal adult guidance, children can develop an ethic of care towards the natural environment. Learning about ecology can ease later scientific concepts in school.

Natural areas are much more complex than built environments, with a panorama of ever-changing shapes, surfaces, colors, materials, odors and sounds. A child exploring freely in nature can alter and manipulate her environment simply by moving around. Roots ,rocks, mud, and trees require balance and attention not needed on floors, roads or lawns. Insects, birds and other animals act in surprising and unpredictable ways. Embodied learning facilitates cognitive development in ways that are impossible elsewhere, especially in building skills important for later success in art, sports and mathematics.

The relative safety of the natural environment allows children to enjoy play with minimal adult supervision. They can enjoy a degree of independence and responsiblity unavailable in the world of trafic and breakable things.This can enhance their sense of personal enpowerment, making children independent but responsible.The freedom to explore and experiment allows them to be little scientists in an environment much richer than can be found indoors.

Adults can teach children to understand the support they get from nature and to care for natural beings - look under rocks and then put them back, enjoy flowers without picking them, treat animals with gentleness and respect. With adult help, they develop a sense of responsibility for protecting and caring for nature so that they will become good environmental citizens as they grow older.

The resources found here will help you and the children in your care experience, enjoy and understand the more-than-human world in which we live. Have fun !

John Scull is a Cowichan Valley Young Naturalists' leader and has an interest in ecopsychology.