Families For Life | Nature’s Welcoming Embrace: A Lasting Source of Delight for the Whole Family
“Let them once get in touch with Nature, and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight through life. We were all meant to be naturalists, each in his degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.”
- Charlotte Mason
There is something magical about the natural world and how we often emerge from it in a better state than before. A subtle yet powerful force, nature touches our spirit and core.
Research and stories have shown countless ways in which being outdoors regularly benefits us — be it biological, psychological, social or even spiritual. In one of our previous articles, we shared how outdoor time lays the foundation for a wholesome education. However, the magic of the outdoors can easily be overlooked when we adults become caught up in everything else that demands our attention, time and energy.
The question we want to pose today is: Is it really necessary as parents to set aside time from our busy schedules to bring our children outside?
A Grounding, Comforting Space
“In hard times, the act of walking among trees much taller than [my child while] lingering to look at leaves with details so intricate that they look like they were painted on and observing how birds seem so assured of their place in life can become a reminder of how he, too, is precious and will be okay.” – Kaylee
Living in an increasingly noisy world, parents recognise the importance of protecting their families’ well-being and mental health now more than ever. As stress grows, nature provides a safe space where we can shed off the demands of others and become immersed in an environment which requires nothing of us.
Nature invites us to just be present and to slow down. The experience of wandering through lush gardens, thriving mangroves or observing a little bird in its nest somehow takes the focus away from ourselves, and fills us with wide-eyed wonder and curiosity — a truly blessed and grounding experience we can share with our little ones. The mindful engagement with the outdoors naturally helps us reset, making it a common observation to see everyone return more well-regulated and in a better mood.
An Ever-Shifting Classroom
”We thought he would get bored of going to the same place (Bishan Park) by now but he still enjoys it so much. I guess that’s the beauty of being in nature — that things are always changing and there’s always something new to notice.” - Melissa
Children seem to intrinsically know that nature always yields new things to behold. Whether observing guppies swimming in the stream, a feather abandoned on a grassy field, or fuzzy Fountain Grass bending to the wind, each fascinating sight holds deep lessons and insights. By simply paying attention, both parents and children have come to realise that meaningful learning can happen anywhere and not just in the classroom. One parent noted that a mere bug from the garden could spark questions about its appearance, ancestry, diet, habitat, activity, life cycle, place in the food chain, distribution and more.
The curiosity of a child is infectious, and many parents find themselves wondering, doing research and learning together with their children on things which they observe in nature that pique their interest. Moreover, Nature offers countless opportunities to reflect on profound themes too — about timing and patience, about the beauty in life and the inevitability of death, about generosity and sacrifice.
A Place for Connection – with the Natural World and Each Other
While Charlotte Mason taught how children form relations or connections between learned facts, new knowledge, and experiences when they are outdoors, these aren’t the only kind of connections being formed. We have emotional responses to what we observe too. One mother shared how her three-year-old, once fearful of horses and crabs at Pasir Ris Park, grew confident enough by the second term to feed and even hold them!
As children immerse themselves in nature, their senses, emotions and quiet observation allows for curiosity to bloom, drawing them into a tender connection with the world around them. Children learn to not only understand the world we live in but naturally begin to care for it. A girl who sees a millipede for the first time may move away in fear. Over time, she learns its name, may grow curious about why it curls up whenever it is touched, and then start to wonder where its family is. Soon, she may learn about the interesting scent it gives off, or how it finds its food in the leaf litter when it is hungry. One day, she will be ready to hold the little creature with a mix of nervousness and excitement, feeling the tingle of its legs as it scuttles along her hand. Parents who have allowed their children to take care of these little creatures at home recognise how their child grows in responsibility, empathy, confidence and kindness too.
This leads to the final kind of connection the outdoors helps to foster — the connections formed between people. As freedom, learning, curiosity and joy come together, these moments often end up becoming precious shared memories for the whole family.
Starter Tips
Are you a parent (or grandparent) who finds the idea of bringing your child outdoors in our sunny city impractical or even intimidating? Perhaps it feels as if you don’t know where to start, or how to go about it. Not to worry because these reservations are very common! We have come up with some simple tips on how you can get started:
Go out early or later in the day - Singapore is hot! A great way to avoid the heat and still get some outdoor time could be going for a short morning walk, spending some time at the playground or a nearby park, or just enjoying a stroll together in the late afternoon and evenings.
Choose shady trails or parks with water play - The parks of Singapore have been well-designed to have areas of shade, rest, and water bodies such as ponds and streams! These areas will be cooler than being out in the direct sun. Look out for toilets which usually have water coolers too. Alternatively, most neighbourhoods have water playgrounds which are free for anyone to use.
Wear the right clothes, bring the right gear - Loose, breathable clothing will help everyone feel less uncomfortable, and water bottles are a must! On top of that, you can anticipate what your child may need and pack accordingly: Will they get hungry? Are they prone to mosquito bites? Will they be uncomfortable if their footwear gets wet / muddy? The right gear can make a world of difference.
Keep outings short and pleasant - Starting any new habit can be intimidating and uncomfortable. If you and your child do not go outdoors much, we would suggest starting small but aiming for regularity. Consistency matters more than duration.
Bring a Child-Friendly Nature Guide or Journal- You may feel a little lost initially when bringing your children outside. Finding nature guides, books, or journals can help give some direction as to what to look out for. If you find this useful, you can check out our resources!
Remember that you don’t have to start off by planning elaborate outings for your family — just step out the door. Even 20 minutes around the neighbourhood, or at a nearby park will have a positive effect. Over time, these moments will add to the well-being of each person in your family and become a source of delight and warm memories for all.
Some Final Thoughts
So is it really necessary as parents to set aside time from our busy schedules to bring our children outside? From our conversations with families at Gentle Seeds, the answer is a resounding yes! Starting may feel challenging, but with these tips and encouragement from other parents and our teachers, we hope you’ll be inspired to take that first step out.
I want to end off this article with a quote that a mother shared with us. The quote by Charlotte Mason states: “Never let the endless succession of small things crowd great ideals out of sight and out of mind.”
In embracing these meaningful moments outdoors, may we never let seemingly little things overshadow the treasured aspirations we have for our families!
Note: Thank you to all the parents who set aside time and space to reflect and share for this article, namely, Melissa L., Christa, Gin, Melissa F., Angelyn and Kaylee.
(By Anabel Yeo, a childhood educator and community builder at Gentle Seeds Pte Ltd)