Page 11 - NatureStart Network

CHAPTER 1

Connecting with Nature

“As a child, one has that magical capacity to move among the many eras of

the earth; to see the land as an animal does; to experience the sky from the

perspective of a flower or a bee; to feel the earth quiver and breathe beneath

us; to know a hundred different smells of mud and listen unself- consciously to

the soughing of the trees.” –VALERIE ANDREWS, A PASSION FOR THIS EARTH

“I’ve gained a sense of comfort to learn that there are so find nature where it exists around us and create new
many different things to do in nature without having opportunities for nature play and exploration. In some
to go to a nature place such as the forest preserve; cases, children may have access to these experiences and
learning can happen in one’s own back yard.” the only missing element is time and permission from
teachers and caregivers. Young children need adults to
–NatureStart program participant help create these types of experiences and opportunities.

Spending time with nature is essential for children’s
physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development.
Yet, urban sprawl, growing concerns about children’s
safety, a technology explosion, and a trend toward
structured and indoor play activities are separating
children from nature. What’s more, all green space
is not accessed equally. Safe and accessible natural
areas often are distributed unevenly throughout a
city, with less access and less green space in under-
resourced and marginalized neighborhoods. The
ability to enjoy nature truly is a social justice issue.
Studies show that people living in highly urbanized
settings—where often there are concentrations of
concrete and sparse plant life—benefit the most from
nature. Research tells us that for our wellbeing, we need
daily contact with nature. This can include contact
with plants and animals in the home or classroom; with
local, backyard, and neighborhood trees, shrubs, plants,
flowers, birds, and insects; and with larger and more
expansive natural areas available through forest preserves,
state parks, lakes, campsites, and other green spaces.
NatureStart emphasizes connecting with nature
at multiple scales, whether exploring a ditch, visiting
a favorite tree right outside your door, watching ants,
digging for worms, or visiting a local natural area. We

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